Mercer University
St. Bonaventure
Bears Close Mercer Invitational With Win Over St. Bonaventure
2/14/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
MACON, Ga. – The Mercer University softball team defeated St. Bonaventure 5-3 in the consolation game of the Mercer Invitational on Sunday, Feb. 14 at Sikes Field.
FINAL – Mercer 5, St. Bonaventure 3
HOW IT HAPPENED
An infield single by Megan Lane in the bottom of the fourth inning scored Shaila Warren for the game-winning run, breaking up a 3-3 tie.
The Bears tacked on an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning as Meghan Rud sparked the rally. She singled up the middle, stole second base and advanced to third base on a wild pitch before scoring on an RBI-groundout by Taylor Miller.
The Bonnies scored once in the top of the first inning, but Mercer responded with an two-run RBI-double by Emma Andrew to take a 2-1 lead. The Bears would plate another run in the bottom of the second inning as Natalie Shiver singled to first base, scoring Shaila Warren.
Maxine Rodriguez and Anna O'Neill tag-teamed the Bears' pitching efforts, holding St. Bonaventure to six hits over six and a half innings of work.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Four-hole hitter Natalie Shiver was heavily involved in the Bears' offensive success against St. Bonaventure as she went 3-for-4 at the plate with one run batted in and one run scored. Her single in the bottom of the first inning led to her scoring a then-go-ahead run. Her two other hits were singles as well.
Shiver is hitting .428 (6-for-14) through the Bears' first five games this season.
MERCER STAT OF THE GAME
Five of the Bears' season-high 13 hits were infield singles, including two by Taylor Miller. The Bears had eight hits in both of their wins on Friday against St. Bonaventure and Central Michigan.
NOTABLES
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Emma Andrew's RBI-double in the first inning gave her six RBIs for the season so far, a team high. Her first four came in the Bears' first two games of the Invitational on Friday.
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Maxine Rodriguez picked up the win in her Mercer debut in the circle. She made 18 appearances in the circle last season as a sophomore for DePaul.
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The Bears' No. 1 through No. 4 hitters each had a multi-hit game. All four hitters – Meghan Rud, Taylor Miller, Megan Lane and Natalie Shiver – have two multi-hit games each so far this season.
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Anna O'Neill recorded the save for Mercer with three innings of relief in the circle while surrendering only one hit. O'Neill has struck out 19 batters of 14.1 innings pitched so far this season.
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Mercer executed at the plate with two outs, hitting .500 (6-for-12) in those situations. The Bears were also 2-for-4 with the bases loaded.
RECORD UPDATE
Mercer improved to 3-2 overall and snapped its two-game skid from Saturday's games.
UP NEXT
Mercer will face Alabama, Maryland, Miami (Ohio) and host Georgia State at the Panther Invitational Tournament in Atlanta Feb. 20-21.
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.
