Mercer University
UNC Greensboro
Softball Falls In Series Rubber Match, 5-4, At UNCG
4/10/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Mercer University softball team dropped a series-deciding 5-4 contest to UNCG in heartbreaking fashion on Sunday, April 10, as the Spartans used a three-run seventh inning to earn their second walk-off win in as many games.
FINAL – UNCG 5, Mercer 4
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Black and Orange entered the bottom of the seventh inning with a 4-2 lead, but the Spartans (26-15, 3-3 SoCon) mustered another comeback to seal their second walk-off win of the series. A RBI-double off of the left field wall by Rachael McClaskey set up a game-tying RBI-single by Nicole Thomas, who hit the Spartans' walk-off grand slam in game two on Saturday. Mercer proceeded to commit a throwing error on the same play, allowing UNCG to score the game-winning run.
Junior Maxine Rodriguez was effective in the circle despite taking the loss and dropping to 6-7. She tossed her second complete game of the series, allowing five runs but only two of which were earned.
The Bears (18-24, 1-5 SoCon) led for the majority of the contest after taking a 3-1 lead in the third inning with three hits and a pair of walks. Freshman Lindsay Boynton and sophomores Meghan Rud and Emma Andrew had hits in the inning while junior Taylor Rodgers reached on a pinch-hit fielder's choice and senior Kaytlin Haney drew a bases-loaded walk.
UNCG made it a one-run game in the fourth as Sidney Grkman hit a solo home run to centerfield, but Mercer earned the run back in the sixth as Haney scored on a Spartan error at second base.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Rud once again had her fingerprints all over Mercer's offensive and defensive production on Sunday, going 2-for-4 with one run scored and one RBI in addition to making a catch at the warning track in the seventh inning. The multi-hit game was her 16th of the season and 34th of her career.
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MERCER STAT OF THE DAY
The Bears have lost their last three SoCon series, dating back to a series loss at East Tennessee State last season.
NOTABLES
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All three of the Bears third-inning runs came with two outs. Aside from Rud's leadoff single, all of Mercer's offensive action came in the final out.
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Rud proved to be another tough out on Sunday, going 2-for-4 at the plate in route to her third multi-hit game of the series. She was 6-for-12 with three runs scored, two RBIs and two stolen bases in the series. She currently owns a four-game hitting streak.
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Junior Taylor Miller had four hits in the series, preserving her lead among SoCon players with 57 through 42 games. She owns a four-game hitting streak as well.
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Freshman Shaila Warren made two impressive line-drive snags at second base and was able to turn both into inning-ending double plays. The first double play came in the second inning and ending a bases-loaded threat by UNCG.
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Rodriguez held SoCon Preseason Player of the Year Lindsay Thomas hitless on Sunday and 0-for-5 overall in two games this series.
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Haney made her second consecutive start in right field and was 1-for-2 with one run scored, one RBI and one walk. She had one hit in each game this series after going hitless in her prior 10 at-bats dating back to March 2.
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Sophomore Quirisa Mauga went 0-for-4 on Sunday, ending a career-best streak of reaching base in 20 consecutive games.
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Andrew, who went 2-for-4 and picked up her 10th multi-hit game of the season on Sunday, was a combined 4-for-10 with three RBIs and four runs scored in the series.
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Mercer remains winless when scoring less than five runs in a game this season.
RECORD UPDATE
Mercer falls to 18-24 overall and 1-5 in the SoCon following Sunday's loss at UNCG. The Spartans now lead the all-time series 5-3 as well.
UP NEXT
Mercer hosts East Tennessee State (12-13, 3-3 SoCon) next weekend in its third SoCon series of the season and second at Sikes Field. The two teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday, April 16, starting at 1 p.m. and conclude the three-game series at 1 p.m. on Sunday, April 17.
The Buccaneers had a non-conference doubleheader against South Carolina State cancelled on Saturday, April 9 in Johnson City, Tenn. and will play two more non-conference twin bills this upcoming weekend against Morehead State and Presbyterian before traveling to Macon, Ga.
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.
