Stevens, Softball Stun USC Upstate to Advance to A-Sun Semis
5/8/2014 12:00:00 AM | Softball
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – With an absolutely dominant performance from the circle, freshman Kirsten Stevens led the Mercer University softball team to a signature 4-3 win over top seeded USC Upstate at Draper Diamond on Thursday.
No. 4 Mercer (36-17) now advances to the semifinals after its victory to take on No. 3 Stetson. The Hatters beat No. 2 Lipscomb in the preceding game.
Stevens (15-4) controlled the Spartan lineup for most of the game as she allowed three runs on five hits and two walks. In her complete game outing she struck out two batters and held A-Sun Player of the Year Shellie Robinson hitless. Robinson flew out to senior McKenzie Woody to end the game for USC Upstate.
Woody had another good game with a hit in three at-bats and two runs scored. She was also walked twice and recorded her 23rd and 24th stolen bases of the season. Junior Kaylynn Sloat helped the Bears effort with a two-hit day and a run scored.
Four separate Mercer hitters recorded an RBI as sophomore Kaytlin Haney, freshman Caroline Taylor, senior Krista Kennedy, and sophomore Natalie Shiver all knocked in a run. It was all about stringing hits and walks together as Mercer did not record an extra-base hit but still scored their four runs.
The situation was tense to close out the game as Upstate had the tying run on second and the winning run, in the form of Robinson, at the plate. However, as she had numerous times in the game, Stevens buckled down and induced Robinson to fly out to end the game.
Players ran toward the mound as soon as Woody made the catch and celebrated by mobbing their freshman hurler. The coaches joined in as the fans who made the trip to Nashville rejoiced in the stands.
The Bears hope to repeat that electric atmosphere tomorrow as they play Stetson in the semi-finals at 12:30 p.m. central time (1:30 p.m. eastern) at Draper Diamond. Follow @MercerUSoftball for game coverage if you cannot be in Nashville for the game.
