Mercer University
Evansville
Bears Win Two on Second Day of Black & Orange Challenge
2/28/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
MACON, Ga. – On a wild day at Sikes Field, Mercer wins both games against the University of Evansville, 7-1, and the University at Buffalo, 9-8 on the second day of the Black & Orange Challenge. With the wins Mercer moves to 10-9 on the year.
Final – Mercer 7, Evansville 1
Mercer got off to a fast start scoring the first run of the game in the bottom of the first inning on Molly Garmany's sack fly to center field, scoring Meghan Rud. The Bears had an opportunity to extend their lead but left the bases loaded to close out the first.
Mercer stayed hot in the second with help from a pair Aces errors. Meghan Rud stole third and advanced home on a fielding error by the Evansville third baseman. On the same play, Taylor Miller would advance to third and score on a throwing error by the Aces left fielder to give Mercer a 3-0 lead. Kaylynn Sloat would drive in Riley Carter on a lined shot to right field but would end the inning being thrown out at home on an inside the park home run try.
Evansville added their first run of the game in the top of the third on a RBI single to center field. The Bears would break a three inning scoring drought in the bottom of the sixth, scoring three runs on two walk-ins and a hit batter. Kirsten Stevens picked up her 5th win of the season, allowing one run on five hits, while striking out nine batters through seven innings. Stevens did not sacrifice a base-on-balls in her sixth complete game.
Final – Mercer 9, Buffalo 8
Mercer carried their hot streak into their second game of the day against the University at Buffalo. Miller scored on an error by the first basemen to start off the inning, followed by Sloat's two-run blast to left center. Megan Bilgri started the game for the Bears, retiring nine of her first ten batters faced. Bilgri worked out of a jam in the top of the fourth, with help from her defense, but not before giving up two runs, cutting the Mercer lead to 1.
In the bottom of the fourth Mercer answered with three runs on two hits and two errors. Miller reached on a throwing error by the Bulls. The error allowed Garmany, Andrew, and Rud to score. Buffalo clawed its way into the lead adding three runs in both the fifth and sixth innings three hits and two errors in the fifth and three hits and one error in the sixth.
In the bottom of the sixth, Mercer scored two runs to tie the game at eight-all. Miller stole second, creating a throwing error by the catcher, which allowing Rud to score. Carter drove in Miller on a RBI single up the middle. Stevens retired the side in order in the seventh setting up a walk-off opportunity for the Bears.
Taylor and Alaan went down in order to open the inning. Andrew beat out the throw from the shortstop bringing Rud to the plate. Andrew stole second, putting a runner in scoring position for the Bears. On a one-two count Rud lined to center field scoring Andrew on a RBI triple to end the game with a Mercer victory. Stevens earned her sixth win of the year.
Mercer will be back in action Sunday for the closing game of the Black & Orange Challenge. The game is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. EST against Kennesaw State University. Looking ahead, the Bears will face Georgia State in a double header on Wednesday, March 4th at Sikes Field.
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