Mercer University
Western Caro.
Bears Bust Out the Bats in 12-4 Win Over Western Carolina
2/18/2012 12:00:00 AM | Softball
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Mercer softball team started strong and finished strong in recording its first win of the season; a 12-4 six-inning victory over Western Carolina on day two of the Florida St. Seminole Classic.
The win also represents the first in new head coach James DeFeo's career at Mercer.
The Bears (1-6, 0-0 A-Sun) have started games well this season, scoring first in six of its first seven games. Thus far the early starts had not equaled a win, but the Bears turned a corner on Saturday night relying on solid pitching and continued strong appearances at the plate.
In their lone game of the day, the Bears once again tallied the first run and this time made good on the fast start. Four Bears tallied multiple hits and three had multiple RBI against the Catamounts (3-5, 0-0 SoCon).
It began as McKenzie Woody led off by reaching with a well-placed bunt as the Bears first batter. After a Tiffany Phillips sacrifice bunt and senior Kristin Marko flied out to right, Woody found herself sitting on third. Senior Sara Stukes then laced a single to left field bringing home Woody and giving the Bears a quick 1-0 lead.
Mercer's very next batter, junior Sarah Santana cleared the bases with her first home run of the season – a three-run blast to left field to take a 4-0 lead. Santana led the Bears going 2-for-3 with four RBI in the game.
Western Carolina responded by tagging Mercer starting pitcher Molly Anderson for three runs in the second, narrowing the Bears lead to 4-3.
After loading the bases with no outs, Mercer looked poised to extend its advantage in its half of the second. However, Mercer would generate just one run off a Kristin Marko sacrifice fly to left drove in Krista Kennedy, giving Mercer a 5-3 lead after two.
Carolina threatened again and closed the gap to 5-4 with a bases loaded situation of their own in the third. After giving up a single and a double to start the third, Anderson was replaced by freshman pitcher Jessica Holsinger. Holsinger allowed a walk but was then able to get all three outs to escape the jam.
Holsinger continued to throw well and maintained the Bears slight 5-4 lead heading into the top of the sixth. The freshman from Eagle, Idaho recorded the first win of her career after throwing four complete innings and striking out four while allowing just two hits.
In the bottom of the sixth, Mercer would extend its lead for good. The Bears scored seven in the bottom of the inning to run-rule the Catamounts. Marko, seniors Kassie Bailey, Sara Stukes, junior Sarah Santana, and sophomore Randi Rea all had RBI in the inning.
McKenzie Woody, who had started off the inning with a single, finished off the game with her team-high third hit of the night. Woody singled to short bringing home freshman Molly Garmany as the final run of the game.
The Bears finish off the Seminole Classic Tournament tomorrow with two games on the docket. Mercer faces off again against the Catamounts at 11 a.m. before playing tournament host, Florida St. at 1 p.m.
