Bears Earn Split In A-Sun Opener at Upstate
3/31/2012 12:00:00 AM | Softball
BOX SCORE - Game One, Mercer loses 8-7
BOX SCORE - Game Two, Mercer wins 4-1
MACON, Ga. – A stormy night in the southeast forced an almost two-hour rain delay of Friday's Atlantic Sun Conference opener between Mercer and USC Upstate. At the end of the day, the Bears walked away from Cyrill Stadium with a doubleheader split against the Spartans.
Mercer (20-14, 1-1 A-Sun) scored four runs in the seventh but couldn't overcome a five-run deficit and the late-inning rally fell just short in a 8-7 loss in game one. Game two was interrupted twice by rain, but a resilient Bears squad earned a 4-1 in game two win thanks in part to freshman pitcher Jessica Holsinger holding the Spartans (27-5, 1-1 A-Sun) to just four hits.
GAME ONE
In an up and down game, a late seventh-inning rally fell just short as the Bears dropped an 8-7 decision to snap a seven-game winning streak in game one. The Bears scored four runs in the top of the seventh with one out, but saw their threat fall short as Upstate came up with clutch defensive plays to escape with the win.
The Bears outhit the Spartans 13-8, and left seven runners on base. However, it was a five-run fifth inning became the deciding factor in the loss. Mercer fell behind 8-3 after the five runs came across in the fifth and couldn't find the offensive firepower to cap the comeback.
Four Bears had multiple hits in the game, including senior Tiffany Phillips who went 3-for-3 with two doubles. Senior Kassie Bailey also had an up and down performance in game one. Bailey led the team with four RBI, including a two-run home run in the third but also picked up the loss inside the circle. It was Bailey's third home run of the season and team-leading 24th RBI.
Bailey took a 3-1 lead into the fourth when Upstate began to take control of the game. The Spartans tied things up in the bottom of the fourth off a fielder's choice and sacrifice fly and then rattled off the five runs off four hits and an error in the fifth.
Bailey was relieved by junior Kerri Nidiffer and but all eight runs were charged to Bailey in the fifth.
Freshman centerfielder, McKenzie Woody extended her hitting streak to eight games by picking up two hits and scored three runs.
GAME TWO
A nearly two-hour rain delay derailed most of the momentum and rhythm in game two, but the Bears proved to be the more resilient team in taking a 4-1 victory to earn the split. Game two didn't get over until well after 11 p.m. as a delayed start and a lengthy stoppage in the third led to the prolonged game.
Just before the rain set in, Mercer took a 1-0 lead in the third off an RBI double from Kassie Bailey. The rain then made its way over Cyrill Stadium and forced the teams to take a nearly two hour break.
Mercer's winning runs came across s after the delay in the sixth to secure the team's 20th win of the season. Junior Sarah Santana scored what turned to be the game-winning run after she reached lead-off single and came around to score off a Upstate wild pitch.
Two batters later, sophomore Randi Rea laced a two-run home run to plate a pair of insurance runs and extend the lead to 4-0. It was Rea's first home run of the season.
Freshman pitcher Jessica Holsinger threw her ninth complete game of the season en route to her 10th overall win in game two. Holsinger was good before the delay and was able to remain consistent after. Holsinger allowed one hit before the delay and just three afterward, including giving up the one earned run in the bottom of the sixth.
Mercer will have a short turnaround to rest and travel for Saturday's doubleheader against ETSU on Saturday. The Bears and Buccaneers are scheduled to play tomorrow at 1 p.m. in Johnson City, Tenn.
