Mercer University
Bowling Green
Mercer Splits on Day Two of Phyllis Rafter Memorial
2/26/2011 12:00:00 AM | Softball
WOODSTOCK, Ga. – The Mercer softball team split a doubleheader on day two of the Phyllis Rafter Memorial first defeating Bowling Green, 13-0 and then falling to Ball St., 8-1.
The Bears (11-5, 0-0 A-Sun) had two innings of five runs or more against Bowling Green, and ended up run-ruling the Falcons in five. However, Mercer it was a different story in game two as the Bears snapped their eight-game winning streak, scoring only one run on eight hits against the Cardinals.
Mercer ended up with 13 runs on 14 total hits in game one, with all but one of the Bears starting lineup registering a hit in the game. It was their second highest offensive output on the year.
The scoring started with six runs on six hits in the second inning against the Falcons. Freshman centerfielder McKenzie Woody recorded the first runs as drove in two RBI with a bases-loaded single to center field.
Two batters later, again with the bases loaded, junior shortstop Sara Stukes laced her team-leading seventh double to center scoring all three of the Bears' base runners. Junior catcher Kristin Marko added the sixth run in the inning as she drove in Stukes on a single to left field.
Stukes has been on tear of late and that continued in the first game on Saturday. Stukes had a game-high three RBI on a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate. She now has 13 RBI in the last six games.
The Bears pushed their lead to 8-0 by the end of the fourth with RBI's from senior Allison Jones and freshman Krista Kennedy. Then in the top of the fifth, Mercer put their final five runs on the board with a little help from junior college transfer Tiffany Phillips. Phillips recorded both her first career RBI's in a Bears' uniform when she drove a double to center field to close out the Bears scoring in game one.
Senior pitcher Jenni Holtz (7-1) went four innings giving up just one hit and struck out five to etch her seventh win of the season.
Game two was a rematch between the between the Bears and Cardinals as the two teams met last year in this same tournament. Mercer won that game in 2010, 9-1 and on Saturday Ball St. was able to exact a bit of revenge downing the Bears 8-1.
Mercer had several chances in game two as they sprayed eight hits in the game, but were unable to convert as they left a season-high 10 runners on base. The Bears also had a season-high three errors, which led to five unearned runs in the game.
Mercer's lone score came off the bat freshman Randi Rea. The solo shot came in the top of the sixth and was the second in as many days for the freshman from Suwannee. Yesterday, Rea had her first career home run and on Saturday finished game two going 2-for-4.
The Bears finish out the Phyllis Rafter Memorial with one game tomorrow against Big 10 opponent Purdue. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
