Mercer University
Chattanooga
Softball Falters In Rubber Match At Chattanooga
4/24/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The Mercer University softball team was defeated 9-0 by Chattanooga in a run-rule shortened Southern Conference series finale on Sunday, April 24 at Jim Frost Stadium. The Mocs took the series win, 2-1, with the victory.
FINAL – Chattanooga 9, Mercer 0 (5 innings)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Mercer (20-28, 3-9 SoCon) couldn't get its offense rolling and simultaneously struggled to contain Chattanooga's bats in the series-deciding loss. The Mocs racked up nine runs on 11 hits and were assisted by a trio of Mercer errors.
UTC (26-22, 6-6 SoCon) southpaw Cori Jennings was effective in the circle, retiring 13 batters in a row over the majority of the game to earn her 12th win of the season.
Things looked promising in the top of the first inning as junior Taylor Miller and sophomore Quirisa Mauga reached base on a single and double, but the Bears couldn't produce a run in the situation and were eventually held to just three total hits. Junior Anna O'Neill (4-8) took the loss in the circle, as she couldn't record an out in the first inning before Mercer went to the bullpen.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Despite entering the game with a 7-0 deficit, sophomore Jill McElderry proved to be the most effective Mercer pitcher on Sunday. She surrendered a two-RBI double in the third, but the runs weren't charged to her. McElderry would later strike out the side in the fourth inning. The right-hander only allowed a pair of hits in her two innings of work.
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NOTABLES
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Senior Natalie Shiver started her 208th career game on Sunday, moving her into sole possession of fifth place in the Mercer record books.
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With an infield single in the first inning, Miller picked up her 195th career hit and owns sole possession of fourth place on the all-time Mercer hits list.
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Miller extended her current hitting streak to 10 games, a new season-high for Mercer.
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Freshman Ginny Hearn made her fifth appearance of the season in the circle and tossed a career-high 2.0 innings.
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Junior Taylor Rodgers had a pinch-hit infield single in the top of the fifth inning for her 10th hit of the season.
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McElderry struck out the side in the fourth inning, marking the first time all season a Mercer pitcher has done so.
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Sunday's loss was just the fifth time Mercer has been shutout all season. It was the first time in SoCon play.
RECORD UPDATE
The Orange and Black are now 20-28 overall and 3-9 in SoCon play.
UP NEXT
Mercer will host SoCon foe Furman (26-25, 7-8 SoCon) next weekend in the final home series of the 2016 season at Sikes Field. The Bears will host Senior Day on Saturday, April 30, and honor seniors Natalie Shiver and Kaytlin Haney before the first pitch at 1 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.
