Mercer University
St. Bonaventure
Softball Opens 2016 Season With Two Wins
2/12/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
GAME 1 BOX SCORE | GAME 2 BOX SCORE
MACON, Ga. – The Mercer University Softball Team was firing on all cylinders as it opened the 2016 season and fourth annual Mercer Invitational with wins against St. Bonaventure and Central Michigan at Sikes Field on Friday, Feb. 12.
FINAL – Mercer 7, St. Bonaventure 3
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Bears used the long ball to rally from a 2-1 deficit entering the fourth inning of their season opener. Emma Andrew launched a two-run home run off of the scoreboard in left field to give Mercer a 3-2 lead, which would eventually develop into a 7-3 lead following Kaytlin Haney three-run shot in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Andrew, Haney and Megan Lane totaled all seven runs batted in for the Bears while the team finished with eight total hits and forced four walks, while only striking out once against two St. Bonaventure pitchers.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
After giving up one earned run in the first inning, starting pitcher Anna O'Neill was lights out for Mercer en route to a career-high 11 strikeouts over a complete-game performance.
She struck out the side in the top of the second inning and scattered nine St. Bonaventure hits over seven innings while walking only two batters as well.
FINAL – Mercer 5, Central Michigan 3
HOW IT HAPPENED
A three-run first inning gave the Bears all the momentum they'd need to defeat Central Michigan in the nightcap of the Mercer Invitational's opening day. After Meghan Rud scored on a throwing error, Mercer capitalized on RBI-singles by Megan Lane and Kaytlin Haney in the inning.
Jill McElderry took a one-hitter into the fifth inning and scattered seven hits over her complete-game performance to keep the Chippewas at bay early on.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Emma Andrew hit her second home run of the day, capping a 1-for-3 performance that was complemented by a steady defensive performance with two assists at shortstop.
Andrew's two-run long ball put the Bears ahead 5-0 in the bottom of the third inning, which would be the eventual final score. She finished the day 3-for-6 at the plate with four RBIs and three runs scored.
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MERCER STAT OF THE NIGHT
Pitchers Anna O'Neill and Jill McElderry prevented the big inning by St. Bonaventure and Central Michigan, as they surrendered no more than two runs in any of their combined 14 innings pitched. The two pitchers combined to strike out 14 batters and gave up only four earned runs.
NOTABLES
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Mercer continued its dominance at Sikes Field, picking up two wins to open the year after going 21-8 at home a year ago.
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O'Neill's 11 strikeouts in the season opener included two looking and shattered her previous career-high of nine against Liberty on Feb. 21, 2015.
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Meghan Rud's three hits in the nightcap were a team-high for Mercer in both games played on Friday.
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Mercer has hit a total of three home runs in its first two games of the 2016 season.
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The Bears forced nine walks and struck out only five times in the two wins.
RECORD UPDATE
The Bears jumped out to a 2-0 overall record following Friday's 2016 season-opening nonconference wins.
UP NEXT
Mercer faces Pittsburgh at 12:15 p.m. Saturday before teams enter bracket play of the Mercer Invitational at 2:30 p.m.. The Panthers defeated St. Bonaventure 10-0 and Central Michigan 2-0 on Friday to start the season undefeated as well.
The higher seeds will be noted as the home teams during bracket and championship play.
STAY SOCIAL
Follow @MercerUSoftball on Twitter and Instagram or visit the team's official Facebook page for up-to-date information on the Bears' softball program.
