Mercer University
Robert Morris
Softball Defeats Robert Morris, Nationally-Ranked Minnesota
3/12/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Mercer University softball team picked up two wins, highlighted by a 5-2 win over No. 17 nationally-ranked Minnesota, in day two of the FAU Invitational on Saturday, March 12. The Bears also defeated Robert Morris 5-4 in extra innings in their first game of the day.
FINAL – Mercer 5, Robert Morris 4 (8 innings)
HOW IT HAPPENED
After falling into a 4-0 hole through three and a half innings, Mercer battled back and eventually completed a five-run rally with a walk-off hit to defeat Robert Morris in extra innings.
With Megan Lane on third base, Quirisa Mauga connected for a two-out, RBI-single through the right side in the eighth inning to seal the Bears' 10th win of the season. The Bears scored one run in both the sixth and seventh innings as well, as Jaya Alaan and Taylor Miller hit RBI-singles to eventually tie the contest.
Mercer first got on the board with an RBI-double by Megan Lane, which scored Meghan Rud and Miller after both reached on bunt singles and advanced to second and third on a double steal.
Sophomore pitcher Megan Bilgri picked up her second win of the season after replacing starter Jill McElderry in the circle in the fourth inning. She tossed five scoreless innings, scattering five hits while striking out two Colonials.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Multiple Bears had clutch at-bats throughout the game, but none was bigger than Mauga's walk-off RBI-single to end it. The single was Mauga's only hit of the game, as she was 1-for-4 at the plate. The sophomore infielder now has one hit and at least one RBI in four of her last five games.
FINAL – Mercer 5, Minnesota 2
HOW IT HAPPENED
Mercer earned its 11th win of the season while simultaneously handing No. 17 Minnesota its second loss of the weekend behind stout pitching and situational hitting. The Bears never trailed, as they jumped ahead 2-0 in the first inning as Rud and Miller both scored on RBI-groundouts by Lane and Lindsay Boynton.
The Bears' lead was extended in the fourth inning when Natalie Shiver hit a two-run double – her fourth double of the season – to right field, scoring Mauga and Boynton. Shiver later scored in the inning on a Minnesota error.
Mercer collected seven hits, including two each by Miller and Mauga, and also stole one base and drew one walk.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Maxine Rodriguez picked up her team-best fourth win of the season in the circle as a result of her complete-game performance against the Golden Gophers on Saturday. Rodriguez utilized her defense and kept Minnesota off balance while scattering seven hits and striking out one batter. It was the junior's third complete game of the season. Of the seven hits allowed, Rodriguez gave up only one extra-base hit.
----------------
NOTABLES
-
Six Bears picked up at least one RBI on Saturday, including Lane and Mauga, who both reached double-digit RBI with 11 and 10, respectively. Five Mercer players – Lane, Mauga, Shiver, Boynton and Emma Andrew – now have at least 10 RBI on the season.
-
Rodriguez (4-5) not only picked up her team-best fourth win in the circle, but dropped her earned-run average to a team-best 4.11. The junior has logged 46.0 innings and opponents are hitting .268 against her.
-
Bilgri's win over Robert Morris is her second victory in her last three appearances. The sophomore has logged all but five of her 20.2 innings pitched over the past week and a half.
-
The Southern Conference's top speed threats were in action again on Saturday, as Rud and Miller stolen a combined four bases. Miller (13) and Rud (10) both now have double-digit steals through 26 games played. The duo also scored five of the Bears' 10 runs scored and had a combined .625 on-base percentage against Robert Morris as Miller was 2-for-4 and Rud was 1-for-2 with two walks.
-
Mauga's two doubles against Minnesota gave her five extra-base hits for the season, tying her with Lane and Shaila Warren for third on the team behind Andrew (seven) and Shiver (six).
-
With hits in both games on Saturday, Boynton is now 6-for-18 (.333) at the plate this week with 11 RBI and four runs scored.
RECORD UPDATE
Mercer improved to 11-16 overall with its two wins against Robert Morris and Minnesota on Saturday. The Bears have now picked up three wins in neutral sites as well.
UP NEXT
Mercer concludes its three-day, five-game stretch at the FAU Invitational with an early-morning matchup at 9 a.m. against Massachusetts (5-11) on Sunday, March 13. The Minutewomen are 1-2 in the FAU Invitational 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.
