Mercer University
Presbyterian
Softball Splits Doubleheader with Presbyterian
3/6/2012 12:00:00 AM | Softball
MACON, Ga. – Mercer freshman Jessica Holsinger threw a one-hit shutout in Tuesday's opening game of a softball doubleheader at Sikes field, leading the Bears to a split with Presbyterian. Holsinger's effort helped the Bears claim a 12-0 win in game one before falling 9-0 in game two.
Mercer's split moved the team's record to 10-11 on the season while Presbyterian finished matters at 4-9 on the year.
After Holsinger cruised through a one-two-three first inning, the Bears spotted her a 6-0 lead in the bottom of the first by virtue of RBI at-bats for Sarah Santana, Sara Stukes, Krista Kennedy and Caitlin Peisel. The big hit of the inning came when Kennedy stepped into the box and delivered a one-out, two-RBI double to left field to score senior Kassie Bailey and Santana.
The Bears' monster first inning featured six runs on six hits and saw all nine Mercer batters get a crack at Presbyterian starting pitcher Kensley Loudermelk.
After failing to score in second and third innings, senior Kristin Marko led off the fourth frame with a single up the middle, opening the flood gates for another six-run inning. Senior Lilli Luke delivered the clutch hit of that inning, lining an 0-1 offering up the middle for two RBI and a 10-0 Mercer advantage.
Mercer's offensive outbursts were more than enough for Holsinger, who finished off her second shutout of the year with four strikeouts and three walks. The game one performance lifted Holsinger's record to 5-1 on the season.
In game two, the teams battled in a scoreless tie before Presbyterian pushed across five runs in the third inning. The Blue Hose booked five hits and benefitted from one Mercer error in the inning to take their first lead of the afternoon.
In the fourth, Presbyterian pitcher Leslie Hensley crushed a three-run homerun to left field to put the Blue Hose on top, 8-0. The visitors would add another score in the fifth as Tera Powell singled to score teammate Jill McLean.
Bailey took the game-two loss, allowing six hits and five earned runs in 2.2 innings of work. Kerri Nidiffer and Kristen Bretscher also saw action inside the circle in game two's loss.
Mercer returns to action in a non-conference road doubleheader at Georgia State on March 11. First pitch is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
