Mercer University
Alabama
Alabama, Maryland Defeat Mercer Softball In Panther Invitational
2/20/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
ATLANTA – The Mercer University softball team was defeated twice on Saturday, 7-0 by No. 5 Alabama and 6-5 by Maryland in the Panther Invitational at Georgia State.
FINAL – Alabama 7, Mercer 0
HOW IT HAPPENED
Alexis Osorio tossed her second career no-hitter for the Crimson Tide, keeping all but one Mercer batter off the bases to seal Alabama's win. Osorio struck out eight Bears in her first start of the year for Alabama. Mercer's lone base runner was Kaytlin Haney, who was hit by a pitch in the bottom of the sixth inning.
The Crimson Tide finished with six hits, including one home run and three doubles, in the win.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Although Maxine Rodriguez (1-1) took the loss in the circle for Mercer, only two of the seven runs surrendered by the junior right-handed pitcher were earned runs. Rodriguez struck out three Crimson Tide batters while scattering six hits and walking only three.
FINAL – Maryland 6, Mercer 5
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Bears couldn't hold onto an early 3-0 lead as Maryland rallied and eventually won on a walk-off RBI-single in the bottom of the seventh inning. Trailing 5-4 entering the last half of the seventh inning, the Terrapins plated two runs to take the victory. Mercer scored one run in both the fifth and sixth innings before the Maryland rally.
Megan Lane's RBI-single and Maxine Rodriguez's RBI-double in the first inning put Mercer up before faltering late. The Bears finished with 10 total hits. Anna O'Neill, despite surrendering only one run before the fifth inning, took the loss for Mercer and fell to 1-2 in the circle.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Taylor Miller and Megan Lane had near identical performances at the plate for Mercer, each going 3-for-4 with one RBI and one stolen base. Miller scored two runs while Lane scored one. The No. 2 and No. 3 hitters totaled six of the Bears' 10 hits to pace a strong offensive output.
Both Bears are now hitting .347 (8-for-23) on the season.
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MERCER STAT OF THE DAY
After going hitless as a team in their morning game against No. 5 Alabama, the Bears erupted for 10 hits against Maryland in the afternoon. Six Bears had at least one hit, highlighted by three apiece from Taylor Miller and Megan Lane.
It's the second time the Bears have had double-digit hits in a game this season, as they had a season-high 13 against St. Bonaventure on Feb. 14.. Mercer has also had at least eight hits in four games this season.
NOTABLES
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Taylor Miller's multi-hit game against Maryland was her third such performance this season. Her eight total hits are tied with Megan Lane for a team-high.
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Anna O'Neill now has 23 strikeouts in 21.1 innings pitched for the Bears, both being team-highs. O'Neill struck out four Maryland batters in her complete-game performance, despite earning the loss.
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Maxine Rodriguez racked up her first RBIs in a Mercer uniform with her RBI-double in the first inning against Maryland. She also drew one walk against the Terrapins, giving her a team-high four in the season.
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Mercer's loss to Alabama was the first time the Bears have been no-hit since an 8-0 loss to Georgia on Feb. 17, 2014 in Athens.
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Despite taking the loss against Alabama, Maxine Rodriguez tossed a complete game and increased her total innings pitched to 12 in her first season with Mercer. She's surrendered only five earned runs over her two starts in the circle.
RECORD UPDATE
The Orange and Black dropped to 3-4 overall with its two losses on Saturday at the Panther Invitational.
UP NEXT
Mercer will face Miami (Ohio) at 12:30 p.m. and host Georgia State at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 21 at Robert E. Heck Softball Complex in Atlanta.
The RedHawks 0-2 are on the season after dropping games to Alabama, Georgia State so far in the Panther Invitational. Georgia State (3-6) won both of its games Friday against Miami (Ohio) and Maryland before losing to Alabama on Saturday.
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.
