Mercer University
Youngstown St.
Bears Keep the Bats Hot for Day Two Sweep
3/14/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
MACON, Ga. – The Mercer University softball team carried their momentum from the opening day of the Mercer Bears Classic into day two, defeating Youngstown State 11-0 in the first game of the day and Michigan State 6-0 to close out the day. The Bears have been on a hot streak at the plate so far this weekend outscoring their opponents 31-5.
Final – Mercer 11, Youngstown State 0
The Bears were able to jump out to an early lead in the first inning pushing across three runs on two hits and an error. Taylor Miller opened the scoring, advancing home on a throwing error by the Spartans catcher. Miller was followed by a RBI single from Rachael Hugghins and a sac-fly from Natalie Shiver to close the inning.
Mercer went back to work in the second scoring four runs on five hits. With two outs Riley Carter had an RBI single up the middle to get things started. Caroline Taylor cleared the bases on a three run shot to cap the inning, pushing the lead to seven. Miller had a two RBI triple, adding two runs to open the third inning. Meghan Rud's sac-fly scored Miller making the score 10-0 heading into the fourth.
Pinch hitter, Kaytlin Haney would drive in the last run of the game on an RBI single to center field providing the final score of 11-0. Megan Bilgri picked up her first win as a Bear, throwing her first complete game. The freshman threw five innings allowing only one hit and one base on balls with three strikeouts.
Final – Mercer 6, Michigan State 0
Mercer continued to have a hot bat against the Spartans scoring one run in the first inning on three hits. Carter doubled to center field scoring Rud to put the Bears up 1-0. Both teams would go scoreless through four innings until Mercer broke the silence in a big way in the bottom of the fifth.
Quirisa Mauga recorded her first home run of her Mercer career with a two run blast to center field. Emma Andrew would follow Mauga's shot with one of her own with a bomb to left center field giving Mercer a 4-0 lead heading to the sixth.
Shiver added the third home run of the game for the Bears with a deep shot to left field. With the bases loaded Miller added an RBI single through the left side to score R. Hugghins, providing the final score of 6-0.
Kirsten Stevens picked up her thirteenth win of the season in her thirteenth complete game. Stevens allowed only two hits through six innings, while recording three strikeouts and did not sacrifice a base on balls. The game would mark Stevens second shutout of the season for the Bears.
Mercer will be back in action tomorrow for day three of the Mercer Bears Classic. The Bears will face Alabama A&M at 12:15 PM. Looking ahead, the Bears will stay at home next week, with double headers against Alabama State on Tuesday, March 17th and Savannah State on Saturday, March 21st.
Stay tuned to MercerBears.com for live stats and boxscores and be sure to follow Mercer softball on social media (Twitter / Facebook / Instagram) to keep up with all things Mercer Softball.
