Mercer University
UNC Greensboro
Mercer Cruises to a 9-0 First Round Shutout
5/6/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
CHATTANOOGA, TN – The Mercer University softball team opened the Southern Conference Tournament with a 9-0 shutout win against UNC Greensboro in the opening round. Mercer will advance in the winners bracket to face Samford University tomorrow.
Final – Mercer 9, UNCG 0
After Kirsten Stevens started the game with a one-two-three first, Mercer got straight to work, plating a run in the first inning on a single over the first baseman by Taylor Rogers. Riley Carter scored on the single to give the Bears the 1-0 lead heading into the second inning. The Bears threatened again in the second but a questionable call at first ended the Mercer rally with a runner on third.
After a quick third, Mercer used a heads up double play by Quirisa Mauga to escape a scare in the top of the fourth.
Natalie Shiver led off the fourth for Mercer with a double and was driven in on a RBI single from Caroline Taylor to give the Bears a 2-0 lead. Mauga drew a walk to load the bases, before pinch hitter Molly Garmany was credited with a RBI after being hit by a pitch to push the Bears' lead to three, 3-0.
Mercer loaded the bases again in the fifth for Mauga, who added a pair of RBIs with a long shot to left center to push the Bears lead to 5-0, but Mercer would leave the bases loaded to end the inning.
The Spartans threatened in the sixth, loading the bases with one out but Stevens and the Bears defense stiffened to close out the inning unscathed.
"Kirsten controlled the game from start to finish" Coach DeFeo said, "she showed great confidence and poise hitting her spots and not letting the pressure get to her when she got into a jam."
Mercer loaded the bases for the third straight inning in the sixth and Kaylynn Sloat capitalized on the situation. On a 2-2 count, Sloat launched a ball into the left field bleachers to end the game with a walk-off grand slam. Stevens picked up her 24th win in her seventh shutout of the season.
Top Performers
- Kirsten Stevens closed out her 25th complete game and sits alone atop the Mercer single season wins list with 24, after breaking the previous record held by Jenni Holtz set in 2009. In six innings of work Stevens struck out two batters and allowed one walk, in her seventh shutout of 2015.
- Natalie Shiver led the offensive going 3-for-3 with three runs and a double, while also drawing a walk.
- Kaylynn Sloat also batted 1.00, going 3-for-3 with one run, one double and four RBIs on the walk-off grand slam.
Tomorrow's matchup pits No. 2 Samford vs. No. 3 Mercer. The Bears claimed their series with the Bulldogs, 2-1, on April 18-19. Mercer took the first two games of the series, 2-0 and 5-3, before falling in the third game 2-0 to close out the series.
Tomorrow's game is set to start at 2:00 p.m. EST.
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.
