Mercer University
Georgia Tech
Softball Suffers Two Losses At Georgia Tech
3/2/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
ATLANTA – The Mercer University softball team was swept on the road by Georgia Tech, 2-1 and 4-0 in a mid-week doubleheader on Wednesday, March 2.
FINAL – Georgia Tech 2, Mercer 1
HOW IT HAPPENED
Mercer took a 1-0 lead into the bottom of the fifth inning, but Georgia Tech's Courtney Ziese hit a game-winning, two-run home run to right field to snap the Bears' two-game winning streak over the Yellow Jackets.
The Bears' lone run was scored in the top of the third inning when Meghan Rud's RBI-single to second base scored Jaya Alaan from third base. Alaan opened the inning with a leadoff walk before advancing to third on a wild pitch and a sacrifice bunt by Kaytlin Haney.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Other than one pitch, which ended in a two-run home run, Anna O'Neill was effective in the circle against the Yellow Jackets despite taking the loss. The junior right-handed pitcher tossed six complete innings and held Georgia Tech hitless in three frames. O'Neill also struck out four batters and walked only one, while scattering six hits.
FINAL – Georgia Tech 4, Mercer 0
HOW IT HAPPENED
Mercer couldn't find the timely hit it needed to stick with Georgia Tech in the nightcap of Wednesday's doubleheader. After a solo home run put the Yellow Jackets up 1-0 in the second inning, a two-run fourth inning gave Georgia Tech the cushion it needed to seal the win.
The Bears had runners in scoring position twice, but couldn't execute in plating a run. Meghan Rud, Taylor Miller and Quirisa Mauga each picked up a hit for Mercer.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Jill McElderry took the loss in the circle for Mercer, but only allowed one earned run through five innings of work. The sophomore struck out four batters and surrendered only five hits before being relieved in the bottom of the sixth inning after issuing a leadoff walk. The strikeout total tied her second-best mark of the season and gives her 19 for the season.
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MERCER STAT OF THE GAME
The Bears were dangerous on the base paths of Mewborn Field at Georgia Tech, swiping six bases in the doubleheader. Mercer entered Wednesday's games with 11 total stolen bases on the season.
Taylor Miller snagged three of the six steals, giving her a team-high seven for the season. Meghan Rud added two steals in Game 1, giving her six for the season. Rud and Miller lead the Bears in 2015 with 31 and 21 stolen bases, respectively.
NOTABLES
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Taylor Miller extended her hitting streak to seven games with 2-for-3 and 1-for-3 performances in Wednesday's doubleheader. Miller is now hitting .346 for the season and leads the Bears with 18 hits.
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Lindsay Boynton made her collegiate hitting debut for the Bears in Game 2 against Georgia Tech. The freshman struck out looking in a pinch-hit opportunity.
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Megan Bilgri tossed one inning of scoreless relief in Game 2 against Georgia Tech, striking out one batter while giving up one hit.
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With its two wins on Wednesday, Georgia Tech takes a 4-2 advantage against Mercer in the head-to-head series since 2010. The Yellow Jackets lead the all-time series 52-15.
RECORD UPDATE
Mercer drops to 4-12 overall following its two losses at Georgia Tech on Wednesday in Atlanta. The Bears have lost four straight games.
UP NEXT
Mercer will host its second tournament of the 2016 season as Iowa State, Fordham and Boston College visit Sikes Field for the Black & Orange Challenge this weekend, March 4-6.
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.
