Mercer University
Pittsburgh
Bears Lose Two Games In Mercer Invitational
2/13/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
MACON, Ga. – The Mercer University softball team dropped two games against Pittsburgh and Central Michigan in the second day of the Mercer Invitational at Sikes Field on Saturday, Feb. 13.
FINAL – Pittsburgh 19, Mercer 1 (5 innings)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Pittsburgh hit four home runs to pull away from Mercer and remain undefeated in the 2016 season and the Mercer Invitational. Leading 9-0, the Panthers tacked on 10 runs in the top of the fifth inning to secure the win.
The Bears picked up four hits in their first loss of the season while starting pitcher Jill McElderry took the loss in the circle.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
The Bears' lone run came off the bat of Kaytlin Haney as she connected for an RBI-single in the bottom of the fourth inning to score Quirisa Mauga. Haney (1-for-1) drew a walk as well, which gave her a perfect on-base percentage against the Panthers.
Through the first three games, Haney was 3-for-5 at the plate with three walks and five runs batted in, which is a team-high.
FINAL – Central Michigan 8, Mercer 0 (5 innings)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Chelsea DeLamielleure's and Maison Kalina's early-inning home runs got the Chippewas' bats rolling early, as Mercer couldn't muster any offense of its own against opposing pitcher Rachael Knapp (5 innings pitched, nine strikeouts).
Mercer left four runners on base offensively and finished with four hits on the night.
Despite taking the loss, Anna O'Neill (1-1) struck out four Chippewas over 4.1 innings pitched.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Entering the nightcap with only one hit in her first three games of the season, Taylor Miller used her speed to double that total, going 2-for-3 at the plate with two bunt singles.
Miller's singles were two of the Bears' three hits of the game. Miller, who hit in Mercer's two-hole, was the Bears' 2015 hit-leader (83) as a sophomore.
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NOTABLES
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The Bears' two losses to Pittsburgh and Central Michigan were only their fourth and fifth in their last 19 games played at Sikes Field. They were 21-8 at home last season en route to a 37-22 overall record.
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Taylor Miller has started a team-high 117 games over the past three seasons for Mercer, including Saturday's two games.
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Natalie Shiver finished with team-high two hits in the loss to Pittsburgh and had a .750 on-base percentage over Saturday's two games.
RECORD UPDATE
Mercer dropped to 2-2 overall following its two losses on the second day of the Mercer Invitational.
UP NEXT
Mercer will face St. Bonaventure (0-3) in the third-place game of the Mercer Invitational on Sunday, Feb. 14 at noon.
Pittsburgh (3-0) and Central Michigan (2-2) will square off in the championship game at 2:15 p.m.
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.
