Mercer University
Marist
Softball Turns in 'Quality Day' on Friday at Mercer Bear Classic
2/28/2014 12:00:00 AM | Softball
MACON, Ga. – The Mercer softball team got a myriad of good performances from various players and won two games on Friday at the Mercer Bear Classic on Sikes Field.
Mercer beat Marist in game one and North Carolina Central in game two, run ruling both teams.
GAME ONE – MU 9, Marist 1
An NCAA tournament team in 2013, Marist came to Macon to begin the season. Having lost their first game of the day against IPFW they looked to bounce right back against the Bears, but got bounced out instead. Kirsten Stevens started and finished the game for Mercer to earn her fourth win.
She allowed just the one run, which was unearned, and three hits all while striking out five. She faced only four batters over the minimum and kept the Red Foxes baffled all game.
"That's why we recruited her, she is already a great pitcher," head coach James DeFeo. "She has the talent and tenacity to pitch at this level."
Senior McKenzie Woody and junior Riley Carter turned in multi-hit games. Woody was 2-2 with a walk, three runs scored, and a stolen base. Carter went 3 for 3 with four RBI, a run scored, and a stolen base. Sophomore Kaytlin Haney turned in a good game, too, with a hit, three runs scored, and two RBIs to go with a walk.
Sophomore Natalie Shiver also added to the scoring effort with a run scored to go with a walk and a steal. Freshman Taylor Miller also crossed home once in the game.
GAME TWO – MU 11, NCCU 0
Freshman Anna O'Neill was not to be outdone today as she dealt the first no-hitter of her collegiate career in the second game of the day for the Bears. Eagles hitters were left frozen in the batter's box all evening as O'Neill only allowed three base runners while fanning six. She lowered her season ERA to 1.73 after her stunning performance.
O'Neill's teammates lent a helping hand in the blowout victory. Junior Kaylynn Sloat went 2-3 at the plate with a three-run home run in the second inning that scored Shiver and junior Molly Garmany. She also scored two more runs of her own.
Senior Krista Kennedy hit solo home run in the fourth that is now floating somewhere near Saturn and also aided the no-hit effort with terrific leatherwork at the shortstop position. She snagged a couple of sure-fire hits out of the air.
In the first inning, Woody took a pitch off her hand and had to leave the game. Her replacement, freshman Korissa Aguilar, had a great game in her stead. She turned in a 3 for three performance with a double, an RBI, and a run scored. The Bears were extremely efficient hitting as they scored their 11 runs on 10 hits and two walks, only leaving five base runners stranded.
"It was a quality day all around," coach DeFeo said, "I'm very happy with the quality that the team put forth."
Mercer will face IPFW on Saturday at 12:15 p.m. The two teams are 2-0 after the first day of the tournament, and looked poised to meet again in the tournament championship on Sunday afternoon.
