Mercer University
Alabama St.
Mercer Extends Winning Streak; Sweeps Alabama State
3/19/2012 12:00:00 AM | Softball
BOX SCORE - Game One
BOX SCORE - Game Two
MACON, Ga. – The Mercer softball team extended its season-long winning streak to five games after taking a doubleheader sweep of Alabama St. on Monday evening at Sikes Field.
Mercer (17-13, 0-0 A-Sun)needed one extra inning in game one to pick up a 3-2 win and then led from the start in game two finishing with a 6-2 final. Freshman pitcher Jessica Holsinger picked up her team-leading eighth win of the season in game one while senior pitcher Kassie Bailey allowed just two hits in her fifth win in game two.
Offensively, the Bears had 17 totals hits between the two games with Kassie Bailey and McKenzie Woody accounting for four each. Bailey produced both inside the circle and out with two hits in each game and three total RBI. She also threw seven complete innings with six strikeouts. It was her fifth complete game of the season.
GAME ONE
It took Mercer a little while to figure out Alabama State's starting pitcher Bailey Patt. Patt held the Bears to just two hits over the first four innings and didn't advance a runner to second until the fifth.
The Lady Hornets ended up taking a 2-0 lead in the top of the fifth with four hits in the inning. A pair of singles allowed the two runs to come across, but Holsinger did a good job of getting out of the inning giving up just the two runs.
Mercer answered in their half of the fifth as the first run came across off a Molly Garmany sacrifice fly to center. McKenzie Woody tallied a RBI single to third that scored Caitlyn Peisel and tied the game at two.
The Bears were set down in order in the sixth and seventh and Holsinger held the Hornets scoreless after a slight threat in the seventh. Holsinger finished with seven strikeouts while giving up eight hits and two earned runs.
With one out in the extra inning, Woody came to the plate and placed a soft chopper back to the pitcher and was able to beat out the throw for her third hit of the game.
Woody's quick feet would help her out two batters later when Bailey lined a single to right field. Woody motored around second and an ill-advised Alabama St. throw allowed the sophomore to score the game-winning run on the play.
GAME TWO
A much different scenario played out in game two as Mercer played with a lead the entire way and rode a strong out from Bailey for the win. The Orange and Black posted two runs in the bottom of the first when Woody and senior Kristin Marko led off with back-to-back singles.
A pair of fielder's choice at bats from Kassie Bailey and Sarah Santana plated the two runs before Alabama St. could record three outs.
Three runs came across in the third to extend the Bears' lead to 5-0. Both Kristin Marko and Sara Stukes recorded doubles in the inning.
Alabama St. would get two back in the top of the fourth when Meagan Dixon took Bailey deep to left center for a two-run home run. The home run was the only hit of the inning and was one of just two that Bailey allowed in the game.
Heading into the bottom half of the fourth the Bears still maintained a 5-2 lead when Woody once again made her speed a relevant problem for the Hornets. After drawing a walk, Woody advanced to second on a wild pitch and then made a heads up play by stealing third off a foul fly ball.
Woody scored the sixth and final Bears' run thanks to a Kassie Bailey single on the next play.
Bailey would then set down Alabama St. in order in two of the final three innings, including drawing three consecutive groundouts to finish out the game.
The Bears have one final non-conference doubleheader tune-up for Atlantic Sun play this Saturday at Florida A&M. The Bears and Rattlers are scheduled to play at 1 p.m. this Saturday in Tallahassee, Fla.
