Mercer University
Georgia
Bears Score Big in 14-6 Win Over Rutgers
3/4/2012 12:00:00 AM | Softball
BOX SCORE
ATHENS, Ga. – On a rain-soaked day at the Georgia Bulldog Invitational, the Mercer softball team was able to get in just one of its scheduled two games on Saturday, taking a 14-6 victory over Big East opponent Rutgers.
Mercer (9-9) didn't start their scheduled 3 p.m. game until after 8 p.m. but was able to end the game early after scoring nine runs in the fourth and four in the sixth to run rule the Scarlet Knights (4-6). The Bears' second game of the day against Cleveland State was cancelled due to the lengthy delay and no plans for a makeup have been made.
Eight different Mercer players recorded RBI in the game with 13 of the 14 runs scored in the final three innings of the game. In fact, Mercer trailed 6-1 heading into the bottom of the fourth before the Bears' mounted their impressive comeback.
Freshman pitcher Jessica Holsinger received the start against Rutgers and allowed seven of the Scarlet Knights' eight hits and six runs over four innings of work. However, an opportunistic Mercer offense was able to overcome the five-run deficit in the bottom of the fourth.
For the second-straight day Mercer's keen eye at the plate led to big innings of scoring. The Bears needed just three hits and took advantage of two Rutgers' errors to plate nine runs in the fourth and take the 10-6 lead.
After the Bears took the lead in the fourth, junior Kerri Nidiffer took over inside the circle and finished out the game. Nidiffer had perhaps her best outing of the season by not allowing a run and just one hit in two innings of relief work.
Mercer added four more runs in the sixth with three singles and a two-run RBI double by Lilli Luke. Seniors Kassie Bailey and Sara Stukes each had two hits in the game.
Sophomore McKenzie Woody recorded conference-leading 30th hit of the season in the game while scoring a pair of runs. Woody's .448 batting average is also currently second in the A-Sun.
The Bears have one game on the schedule tomorrow, a 1 p.m. matchup with No. 8 Georgia to round out the UGA Bulldog Invitational.
