Mercer University
Furman
Quiet Bats Result In A Loss For Mercer Softball Against Furman
5/1/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
MACON, Ga. – The Mercer University softball team couldn't get its offense rolling for a third straight game and fell to Furman, 8-2, on Sunday, May 1 in the final home game of the 2016 season at Sikes Field. The Paladins swept the series, 3-0.
FINAL – Furman 8, Mercer 2
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Paladins hit three home runs and received another stout pitching performance from Lindsey Bert in the circle to push past Mercer in Sunday's series finale. Mercer picked up nine hits, but left six runners on base and didn't get on the scoreboard until the seventh inning.
Mercer used four pitchers in the loss, including sophomore Jill McElderry, who took the loss and dropped to 4-10. She tossed only 1.1 innings in her start and surrendered two earned runs on four hits. Sophomore Megan Bilgri threw a team-high four innings in her third appearance of the series.
The Bears scored twice in the seventh when freshman Shaila Warren dropped a bunt single – her third hit of the game – and proceeded to come all the way around on an error by Furman. Freshman Megan Lane, who led off the inning with a walk, was on base and scored as well.
Furman out-hit the Bears 15-9 and was led by a 2-for-4 performance by AnnaRose Borrelli, who hit two home runs and had three RBIs.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Warren went 3-for-3 in the nine-hole for Mercer on Sunday and picked up her 10th multi-hit game of the season in the process. She's had two three-hit games in her freshman campaign, both coming within the last 12 games.
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NOTABLES
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Seniors Natalie Shiver and Kaytlin Haney were honored prior to first pitch as Mercer softball's two seniors. The duo has contributed to 118 wins in their four-year careers.
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Junior Taylor Miller went 1-for-4 at the plate to extend her hitting streak to 13 games. She's two hits away from reaching 200 for her career and is hitting .418 for the season.
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Junior Taylor Rodgers went 1-for-3 while making her fifth start of the season and first at second base. Warren, the Bears' usual second baseman, started at shortstop in place of sophomore Emma Andrew.
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The Bears failed to steal a base for the first time in a three-game series this season. They were caught stealing twice, including once on Sunday when SoCon-steals leader Miller was thrown out at second base.
RECORD UPDATE
The Orange and Black are now 20-31 overall and 3-12 in the SoCon. They're riding a four-game losing streak dating back to last weekend's series finale loss at Chattanooga.
UP NEXT
The Bears hit the road to take on SoCon foe Western Carolina in Cullowhee, N.C. on May 7-8. The three-game series is the final regular season contests for Mercer before heading to Greensboro, N.C. to participate in the SoCon Tournament.
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.
