Mercer University
Oakland
Bears Score 14 Runs In Home Opener
2/21/2011 12:00:00 AM | Softball
MACON, Ga. – The Mercer softball team showed off much more than its new uniforms on Monday as the team swept the visiting Oakland Golden Grizzlies in their 2011 home opener.
Mercer (6-4, 0-0 A-Sun) outscored the Grizzlies 14-1 in the two games, winning game one by a score of, 6-1 and then run-ruling Oakland (0-2, 0-0 Summit League) 8-0 in game two. Both senior pitchers Jenni Holtz and Kari Chambers threw complete games and allowed one run combined.
Holtz received the start in game one after becoming the first pitcher in Mercer history to reach the 800-strikeout plateau for her career this past weekend at the Charleston Southern tournament. On Monday, Holtz threw seven complete innings striking out six batters, giving up six hits and just the one earned run.
The Bears scored a run in each of the first three innings to take a quick 3-0 lead. Freshman McKenzie Woody scored on fielder's choice RBI by junior Sara Stukes to get the MU on the board in the bottom of the first. In the second, junior Stephanie Canara pinch ran for sophomore Sarah Santana and ended up taking home on a double steal for the Bears' second run.
In the bottom of the third, Stukes added to her already-hot start to the season by nailing a solo shot to dead-away center for her team-leading second home run of the year.
Then in the bottom of the fifth, the Bears pulled away as junior catcher Kristin Marko tied Stukes for the team lead in home runs. The Kennesaw, Ga. native had two on when she took a Brittany Doyle pitch deep to center for a three-run home run, pushing the Bears' lead to 6-0.
It would stay that way until the top of the seventh when Oakland was able to tag Holtz for a single run. Oakland's Erin Galloway stroked a double to left center which advanced a Grizzlies' runner to third. Then with two outs, Oakland's Kelsey Krych singled up the middle to plate the Grizzlies' lone score.
Game two was highlighted by the timely hitting of the Bears' offense. Mercer's bats have been a little sporadic early on this season, but on Monday the Bears showed what can happen when they are on.
Six different Bears had hits in the game and it was Mercer's highest run total so far this year. Freshman Krista Kennedy, Stukes and junior Jenny Goodman all had doubles in the game. Senior Anna Johnson added to her perfect tally of stolen bases this season taking two more to give her a clean 9-for-9 on the year.
MU put two on the board in the bottom of the third on the strength of four hits in the inning. Both Johnson and Woody scored after bunting to reach base. Freshman Randi Rea scored the two after reaching on an error by Oakland second baseman Erin Galloway.
One inning later, Mercer put things away, scoring six runs on three doubles in the inning. The six runs made the score 8-0 and gave the Bears their sixth win of the season.
Chambers pitched another solid five innings striking out five batters and giving up just two hits. It was her second win of the season.
The Bears will host their second doubleheader in as many days tomorrow as in-state rival Savannah State comes to Sikes Field. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.
