Mercer University
Boston College
Softball Splits Opening Games Of Black & Orange Challenge
3/4/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
MACON, Ga. – The Mercer University softball team split two games in Day 1 of the Black & Orange Challenge, sponsored by Apparel Authority, as it defeated Iowa State 9-3 and lost 8-3 to Boston College at Sikes Field on Friday, March 4.
FINAL – Boston College 8, Mercer 3
HOW IT HAPPENED
Despite grabbing an early 3-0 lead, keyed by freshman Lindsay Boynton's first collegiate hit – a two-RBI single up the middle – in the first inning, Mercer dropped its tournament opener against Boston College. The Eagles chipped away at the Bears' lead, scoring two runs in the top of the third inning before eventually scoring three in the sixth. Another three insurance runs were added on by the Eagles in the top of the seventh as they earned their second win of the day.
The Bears only had two hits, both in the first inning. Anna O'Neill and Maxine Rodriguez split the responsibilities in the circle, with Rodriguez taking the loss in relief.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Lindsay Boynton's first career hit couldn't have come at a bigger moment, as her two-RBI single was an early spark for the Bears in the Black & Orange Challenge. The hit was one of two for the Bears and scored two of their three runs against the Eagles' pitching staff.
The freshman was slotted in the designated player position and hit seventh for Mercer.
FINAL – Mercer 9, Iowa State 3
HOW IT HAPPENED
Mercer used the big hit to defeat Iowa State, as Shaila Warren, Emma Andrew and Lindsay Boynton all hit home runs in the Day 1 nightcap of the Black & Orange Challenge. After going down 1-0 after one inning, Mercer received an offensive jolt from Warren as she hit a two-run inside-the-park home run in the second inning, giving the Bears a 2-1 lead.
A solo shot by Andrew in the fifth and a two-run blast by Boynton in the sixth highlighted the Bears' bounce back win following the afternoon loss to Boston College. The Bears tacked on seven total hits as Taylor Miller and Andrew led the way with two each.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Jill McElderry earned her second win of the season in the circle as she pitched 6.1 innings and quelled an Iowa State offense that entered the Black & Orange Challenge hitting a collective .315 and put up 11 runs on Fordham on Friday morning.
McElderry scattered eight hits while surrendering three runs, walking one batter and striking out two others. Only one of the Cyclones' three runs came before the sixth inning.
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NOTABLES
- The Bears continued their streak of speed on the base paths, stealing five total bases on Friday, four of which came against Boston College. Mercer has stolen at least one base in five consecutive games and Taylor Miller has nine total swipes for the season, a team-best.
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In her first two collegiate starts, Lindsay Boynton proved to be the big bat the Bears were looking for as she was 2-for-5 at the plate with a team-high four RBI on Friday. The freshman had two RBI in each game and was a key cog in the Bears' offensive approach all day. Her first at-bat of the season came on Wednesday against Georgia Tech.
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Taylor Miller extended her hitting streak to nine games with a combined 3-for-7 day at the plate on Friday. The junior has hit safely in 14 of the Bears' 18 games this season and has a .356 batting average and 21 hits, both team-bests. She's improved her batting average from .066 points during the nine-game streak.
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Anna O'Neill was effective in the circle for Mercer against Boston College, tossing three innings and striking out four batters while surrendering six hits and two runs. She was left with the no-decision when the Eagles rallied against Maxine Rodriguez in the late innings. O'Neill now has 47 strikeouts in as many innings pitched.
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Katie Petersen had her first collegiate at-bats against Iowa State as she logged multiple innings at first base for the Bears. The Coral Springs, Fla. native was 0-for-2 at the plate.
RECORD UPDATE
Mercer enters Day 2 of the Black & Orange Challenge with a 5-13 record. The Bears snapped a five-game losing streak with their 9-3 win over Iowa State.
UP NEXT
Mercer will face Fordham (6-11) at 12:15 p.m. on Saturday, March 5 in Day 2 of the Black & Orange Challenge. The Bears will play another game on Saturday, the time and opponent of which will be determined by the outcome of their game against the Rams.
Iowa State (1-1 in the tournament) will square off with Boston College (2-0 in the tournament) at 10 a.m., prior to Mercer's game against Fordham. The Rams lost both of their games in Day 1, falling to Boston College 9-0 and Iowa State 11-3.
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.
