Mercer University
Seton Hall
Softball Goes 2-0 In Opening Day of Mercer Bears Classic
3/18/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
MACON, Ga. – The Mercer University softball team extended its winning streak to five games with victories over Seton Hall and Oakland in day one of the Mercer Bears Classic at Sikes Field on Friday, March 18.
FINAL – Mercer 11, Seton Hall 2 (5 innings)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Highlighted by an explosive first inning that featured Megan Lane's first career home run, a three-run blast, the Bears stormed ahead of Seton Hall (13-12) and never looked back in a run-rule shortened contest. Mercer scored six runs in the first inning while tacking on one in the second inning and four in the third inning.
The Bears reached base 20 times, including nine hits and 11 bases on balls. Walks by sophomore Meghan Rud and junior Taylor Miller in the first inning set up Lane's three-run blast. Another three-run home run for the Bears, off the bat of sophomore Quirisa Mauga, came in the fourth inning as well.
Four Bears – senior Natalie Shiver, freshman Lindsay Boynton, Lane and Miller – had at two-hit performances while four Bears also had at least two runs scored.
Junior Maxine Rodriguez kept Seton Hall off balance all game, throwing a complete game and surrendering only one earned run while striking out two batters. Seton Hall's two runs were scored in the top of the first inning, but Rodriguez settled down afterward to earn her team-best fifth win.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Lane made her first career home run count in a big way, as it gave the Bears the jolt they needed after falling into an early 2-0 hole. The home run gave Mercer a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the first inning and paved the way for an eventual 2-for-3 game for Lane – her seventh multi-hit game of the season.
The freshman also scored twice and walked once while picking up the three RBI on the home run.
FINAL – Mercer 5, Oakland 2
HOW IT HAPPENED
Another early start by the Bears paid off as they plated three runs over the first two innings to claim control over the Golden Grizzlies (4-14). A two-run home run by Boynton – her fourth of the season – in the first inning was followed by a RBI-single from Rud in the second inning. Mercer added two runs in the fourth inning on a RBI-single by Miller and an error by the Oakland third baseman.
The Bears totaled eight hits in the game, six of which came off the bats of Rud and Miller. The duo reached base seven times in eight plate appearances for Mercer.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Continuing her recent success in the circle, Megan Bilgri (4-1) earned her fourth win in the last two weeks while tossing a four-hit complete game against Oakland. The sophomore took a no-hit bid into the fourth inning before giving up a solo home run. Bilgri would go on to strike out one batter while wrapping up her third complete game of the season.
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NOTABLES
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Mercer's 11-run performance against Seton Hall is its second-best run total of the season. The Bears have scored 10 or more runs three times, all resulting in wins.
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The Southern Conference's top base-stealing team was on fire again, totaling nine swipes in its two games on Friday. Mercer snagged seven bases in its win over Oakland, highlighted by three from Rud and two from Miller. The duo also added one each against Seton Hall. Miller now has 17 steals – a SoCon-best number – while Rud has 14, good for second in conference.
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Miller was tough to keep off the bases on Friday, reaching seven times in eight plate appearances over the Bears' two games. The junior now owns a five-game hitting streak and picked up RBI in consecutive games for the first time all season. She also owns a .411 batting average and .440 on-base percentage, both team-best figures.
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Mercer has drawn 92 total walks through 30 games this season, highlighted by a team-best 17 by Rud. The 92 walks have helped translate to a collective .364 on-base percentage.
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Rodriguez and Bilgri picked up Mercer's 14th and 15th complete games of the season on Friday. The two pitchers are a combined 7-0 in their last seven total starts in the circle.
RECORD UPDATE
Mercer improved its record to 14-16 with its two wins over Seton Hall and Oakland on Friday. The Bears' five-game winning streak, dating back to their win over Robert Morris last weekend, is their longest streak of the 2016 season.
UP NEXT
Mercer will square off with Seton Hall and Oakland again on Saturday, March 19, concluding its four games in the home tournament at Sikes Field. The Bears will host the Golden Grizzlies at 2 p.m. and the Pirates at 4:15 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.
