Mercer University
Austin Peay
Softball Splits In Day Two Of Trojan Warrior Tournament
2/27/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
TROY, Ala. – The Mercer University softball team defeated Austin Peay 10-2 prior to losing its nightcap rematch against Missouri State, 6-2, in the second day of the Trojan Warrior Tournament at Troy University on Saturday, Feb. 27.
FINAL – Mercer 10, Austin Peay 2
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Bears played their most complete game of the early season, collecting 14 hits and getting a complete-game performance from Anna O'Neill in the circle to win handily. Mercer's 14 hits included two home runs – Emma Andrew's third of the season and Jaya Alaan's first – in the top of the seventh inning, which sealed the win.
Natalie Shiver was 3-for-4 at the plate with two RBIs and two doubles, the first of which broke open the game's scoring in the first inning. Mercer jumped ahead 5-0 by the end of the second inning, giving O'Neill a cushion to work with. More scoring plays for the Bears came on Meghan Rud's RBI-bunt and Taylor Miller's two-RBI single to right field in the second inning as well as a RBI-single by Alaan in the fifth inning, among others.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
While the Mercer offense was collectively dominant all game, Anna O'Neill individually owned the circle en route to her second win of the season. She struck out seven Missouri State batters, her second best total this season, and didn't allow any walks. Two of the six hits against her were solo home runs as she prevented the big inning all game.
FINAL – Missouri State 6, Mercer 2
HOW IT HAPPENED
Mercer picked up 10 hits, but couldn't find the timely ones needed to avoid the Bears' second defeat to Missouri State in as many days. Tied 2-2 in the sixth inning, Missouri State burst ahead with a four-run frame, sparked by two RBI-singles. Jill McElderry took the loss for Mercer, but kept Missouri State's bats quiet for the majority of the game, allowing only one extra-base hit.
Mercer scored both of its runs in the bottom of the third inning as Natalie Shiver doubled to score Megan Lane and Emma Andrew knocked in Shiver on a RBI-single.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
After a big game against Austin Peay, Emma Andrew's hot hitting carried over into the Bears' second game of the day. The shortstop went 2-for-3 at the plate with one RBI, which came when she singled up the middle to score Natalie Shiver from second base in the bottom of the third inning. Andrew was the only Mercer player with two multi-hit games on Saturday.
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NOTABLES
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The Bears' 14 hits against Austin Peay are a season-high, topping their 13-hit performance against St. Bonaventure on Feb. 14. Mercer has collected at least 10 hits in four games this season, including both of Saturday's games.
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Natalie Shiver and Emma Andrew had eight of Mercer's 24 total hits on Saturday and had RBIs on six of the 12 runs scored. Shiver improved her batting average from .267 to .316 while Andrew's jumped from .290 to .342. Andrew is also the only Bear to have multiple home runs this season as well, with three.
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Megan Lane's three-game hitting streak was snapped with a 0-for-3 game against Austin Peay, but she got back on track by hitting 2-for-3, including a double, against Missouri State. She still leads Mercer with a .375 batting average.
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Anna O'Neill's seven strikeouts gives her 37 in as many innings pitched this season. The junior right-hander needs 24 more to set a career single-season high.
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Maxine Rodriguez had two extra-base hits on Saturday, hitting one double in each game.
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Despite surrendering six runs in the nightcap loss, the Bears held Missouri State to 3-for-12 hitting with runners in scoring position. McElderry struck out four batters and only allowed one extra-base hit, a double.
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Quirisa Mauga's bat came alive Saturday, as she racked up three hits on the day. She entered the day with only four hits on the season and is now hitting .200 for the Bears.
RECORD UPDATE
Mercer is 4-9 overall after splitting Saturday's games against Austin Peay and Missouri State.
UP NEXT
The Orange and Black will face Troy in the final game of the Trojan Warrior Tournament at 3:30 p.m. (EST) on Sunday, Feb. 28. Troy (10-5) is 3-0 in its home tournament so far.
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.
