Mercer University
Savannah St.
Mercer Takes Split at Savannah St.
2/28/2012 12:00:00 AM | Softball
GAME ONE - Box Score
GAME TWO - Box Score
SAVANNAH, Ga. – In preparation for the Georgia Bulldog Invitational, the Mercer softball split a mid-week doubleheader at Savannah State on Tuesday. The Bears (7-8, 0-0 A-Sun) fell in game one, 3-2 yet were able to rebound for a decisive 9-3 win in game two.
Mercer was able to outhit the Tigers (5-7, 0-0 MEAC) in both games, but several on the field miscues caused the Bears' loss in game one. Game two saw Mercer score nine runs on 12 hits, which tied for the second most hits on the year.
GAME ONE – Mercer 2, Savannah St. 3
In the bottom of the first inning, Savannah St. was able to plate two runs without registering a hit. Junior pitcher Molly Anderson began game one inside the circle for the Bears, but was relieved without recording an out as she walked and hit a batter to start.
Fellow junior Kerri Nidiffer replaced Anderson and subsequently walked the next two batters, which accounted for the Tigers first score. However, Nidiffer would settle down and get out of the first while giving up a sacrifice fly for SSU's second run of the inning.
The Bears clawed back in the top half of the second, generating runs off a sophomore Randi Rea RBI double to left center and a Kristin Marko RBI single to right. Rea plated Caitlyn Peisel from second for the first run and then Marko's 12th RBI of the season came across when sophomore McKenzie Woody beat the throw home from second.
Woody improved her batting average to .436 going 6-for-9 on the day with two runs scored and an RBI.
Nidiffer continued to work efficiently through the next three innings, giving up just four hits without allowing another run. It wasn't until the bottom of the fifth that SSU would capitalize off another MU mistake.
Rea, who received her first start of the season at second base, could have gotten the Bears out of the inning but recorded an error that allowed SSU's India Morgan to advance into scoring position at second base. The Tigers very next batter, Chelsea Parrish lined a single to left field that scored Morgan for the game-winning run.
The Bears tagged Savannah St. starting pitcher Madison Hedderly for eight hits in game one, yet couldn't come up with the timely hit to overcome the mistakes. Hedderly finished with the complete game victory, allowing two earned while walking six. Nidiffer dropped to 1-4 on the year with the loss.
GAME TWO – Mercer 9, Savannah St. 3
Mercer head coach James DeFeo gave the start in game two to sophomore Kristen Bretscher and the young pitcher started game two in much the same fashion as Anderson in game one. Bretscher walked the first two batters of the game with both later coming around to give the Tigers a quick 2-0 lead after one.
Bretscher, was relieved by freshman pitcher Jessica Holsinger and Holsinger would go the rest of the way for the Bears to claim her fourth win of the season. The freshman from Eagle, Idaho allowed just three hits and one earned while striking out six.
Mercer's offense took the lead in breakout fashion in the fourth. Five Bears' hits led to six runs capped by a junior Sarah Santana home run down the left field line. The home run was Santana's team-leading fourth of the season and added to her season total of 12 RBI.
Tiffany Phillips preceded the Santana home run in the inning by roping the first of her two doubles in the game, which added to team-lead of 16 RBI on the year.
Senior Kassie Bailey also lined a double in the sixth for the Bears seventh run and Mercer added two more in the seventh to close out the scoring in the game.
The Bears head next to Athens, Ga. this weekend for the Georgia Bulldog Invitational. Mercer will play five games over the weekend with action starting Friday morning at 11 a.m. against Ohio. MU also faces Big 10 foe, Minnesota at 1 p.m. on Friday.
