Mercer University
Samford
Softball Drops SoCon Twin Bill Against Samford
3/25/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
MACON, Ga. – The Mercer University softball team was defeated twice by visiting Samford, 11-6 and 6-1 to open Southern Conference play on Friday, March 25 at Sikes Field.
FINAL – Samford 11, Mercer 6
HOW IT HAPPENED
Both teams jumped on the scoreboard with early fireworks, but it was Samford (16-14) that pulled away late for a SoCon-opening victory over the Bears. The Bulldogs scored first on a three-run home run by Hannah Trombley, only to be tied in the bottom half by sophomore Quirisa Mauga on a three-run blast of her own.
Samford would go on to plate four runs on three hits in the top of the second inning, though, as Mercer was never able to complete the needed rally. Trailing 7-3 in the bottom of the sixth inning, junior Taylor Rodgers came through with a pinch-hit, three-run double to center field, tightening Samford's lead to 7-6. The Bulldogs silenced Mercer's rally once again, plating four runs in the top of the seventh to seal the win.
Samford's Mollie Hanson earned her eighth win of the season with a complete game in the circle, as junior Maxine Rodriguez (5-6) took the loss after allowing seven runs in two innings. The Bears were also plagued by a season-high five errors in the field.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Rodgers' three-run double in the sixth inning gave the Bears new life against Hanson and tightened the Bulldogs lead to one run late. Rodgers, who was pinch-hitting for Shaila Warren with pinch-runner Catie Josslet, senior Natalie Shiver and junior Emma Andrew on base, smoked the bases-clearing double off of the center field wall. It was also Rodgers' second consecutive pinch-hit, RBI-double, following her hit against Seton Hall last Saturday.
FINAL – Samford 6, Mercer 1
HOW IT HAPPENED
A pair of solo home runs and a four-run fourth inning vaulted the Bulldogs (17-14) to their second win over the Bears on Friday. Samford's two home runs came in the first and second innings, bookending Mercer's lone run in the bottom of the first on a RBI-single by Mauga that scored sophomore Meghan Rud.
The Bulldogs received another complete-game performance from Mollie Hanson, who struck out nine Bears for her second win of the day. Sophomore Megan Bilgri (4-2) took the loss for Mercer, allowing six runs in 3.2 innings pitched. Junior Anna O'Neill was effective in relief of Bilgri, scattering three hits and a walk while striking out four batters.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Mauga's RBI-single in the bottom of the first inning gave the Bears an early 1-1 tie before eventually faltering. The sophomore was 1-for-3 at the plate in game two, finishing her day 2-for-5 with a team-high four RBIs, one walk and one run scored.
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NOTABLES
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Despite limited action, Rodgers made the most of her Friday against Samford. The junior followed her pinch-hit, three-run double by replacing Warren at second base in game two and proceeded to go 1-for-3 with another double. Rodgers now owns a three-game hitting streak, with one double in each of the Bears' last three games.
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With hits in both games, Mauga reached base for the 12th and 13th consecutive games this season, a team-best. The sophomore owns a four-game hitting streak as well, one off of her career-best.
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Shiver and Andrew both went 2-for-3 in game one to pick up their seventh and ninth multi-hit games of 2016, respectively. Andrew added another hit in game two to finish with a team-high three hits on Friday and improve her batting average 18 percentage points to .258.
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Game one was the first time since a 5-1 loss on March 11 to Long Island Brooklyn that both Rud and junior Taylor Miller were held hitless. The 1-2 punch was a combined 0-for-8, despite Miller reaching on a dropped third strike.
RECORD UPDATE
Mercer's two losses on Friday snapped its seven-game winning streak and dropped the Bears to 16-18 overall and 0-2 in the SoCon.
UP NEXT
The Orange and Black will look to avoid a SoCon-opening sweep by Samford on Saturday, March 26 at 1 p.m. at Sikes Field.
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.
