Friday, February 17
Auburn, Ala.
1 PM ET
Mercer University
4-2
3
vs
1
Evansville
0-1
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evansville | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Mercer | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | X | 3 | 3 | 2 |
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Preston, Stella (2-0)
L: Florey, M. (0-1)
Base Running:
RUNS: Hay, B. 1
SB: Hay, B. 1
CS: Hay, B. 1
HBP: Hay, B. 1
Batting:
RBI: Castleberry, Danielle 2
SH: Josselet, Catie 1 ; Rodriguez, Maxine 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Taylor, Caroline 1 ; Miller, Taylor 1 ; Walsh, Abby 1
SB: Rud, Meghan 1 ; Miller, Taylor 1 ; Andrew, Emma 1
HBP: Rud, Meghan 1
Game Leaders
AB
2
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
2
R
0
H
1
RBI
2
AB
1
R
0
H
0
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
INF
/ SoftballINF/OF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
P
/ SoftballOF
/ Softball
1B
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
Freshmen Shine Bright as Mercer Defeats Evansville
2/17/2017 6:57:00 PM | Softball
Preston strikes out 11; Castleberry connects on game-winning hit
AUBURN, Ala. – Mercer came out on the winning side of a pitcher's duel largely thanks to freshman right-hander Stella Preston, who struck out 11 batters in the Bears' 3-1 win over Evansville in the Plainsman Invitational at Jane B. Moore Field Friday afternoon.
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Preston (2-0) went the distance for the second time in as many games in her early career and stifled the Purple Aces throughout, allowing only two hits and a walk. Mercer won its fourth straight game and improved to 4-2 on the season. The contest was the first of 2017 for Evansville, which dropped to 0-1.
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Tied 1-1 through five and a half innings, Mercer went ahead 3-1 on a two-RBI single by fellow freshman Danielle Castleberry. After Caroline Taylor and Abby Walsh reached on a walk and error, respectively, and advanced into scoring position on a passed ball, Castleberry made the mistakes hurt with the go-ahead hit.
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PLAYER OF THE GAME
Preston simply could not be touched Friday afternoon, pumping out 11 strikeouts over seven innings of work. The 11 K's were the most by a Bear since senior RHP Anna O'Neill struck out 11 in Mercer's season-opening win over St. Bonaventure last season.
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Through the first two starts of her career, Preston has a 0.50 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 14 innings pitched.
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STAT OF THE GAME
Three. Mercer stole another three bags against Evansville, pushing its season total to 18 on 20 attempts. It was the fourth game already in which Mercer has stolen multiple bases, led by the speed of Meghan Rud. Taylor Miller earned her third stolen base as a pinch runner, subbing in during the second inning. She would eventually score, tying the game 1-1. Emma Andrew added her third swipe of the year as well.
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COACH DEFEO'S TAKE
"What more can you say about Stella [Preston] – she absolutely killed it today. She owned the game in every way possible, and to see that out of a freshman is really impressive. Our team fed of that energy and was able to come away with more timely hitting late in the game.
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"I can't say how proud I am of Danielle Castleberry. We capitalized on Evansville's walk of Caroline [Taylor] and the error that put Abby [Walsh] on. It was a complete-team effort."
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NOTABLES
For complete coverage of Mercer Softball, please follow the Bears on social media at @MercerUSoftball (Twitter), /MercerSoftball (Facebook) and @MercerUSoftball (Instagram) or visit the official home of Mercer Athletics at MercerBears.com.
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Preston (2-0) went the distance for the second time in as many games in her early career and stifled the Purple Aces throughout, allowing only two hits and a walk. Mercer won its fourth straight game and improved to 4-2 on the season. The contest was the first of 2017 for Evansville, which dropped to 0-1.
Â
Tied 1-1 through five and a half innings, Mercer went ahead 3-1 on a two-RBI single by fellow freshman Danielle Castleberry. After Caroline Taylor and Abby Walsh reached on a walk and error, respectively, and advanced into scoring position on a passed ball, Castleberry made the mistakes hurt with the go-ahead hit.
Â
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Preston simply could not be touched Friday afternoon, pumping out 11 strikeouts over seven innings of work. The 11 K's were the most by a Bear since senior RHP Anna O'Neill struck out 11 in Mercer's season-opening win over St. Bonaventure last season.
Â
Through the first two starts of her career, Preston has a 0.50 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 14 innings pitched.
Â
STAT OF THE GAME
Three. Mercer stole another three bags against Evansville, pushing its season total to 18 on 20 attempts. It was the fourth game already in which Mercer has stolen multiple bases, led by the speed of Meghan Rud. Taylor Miller earned her third stolen base as a pinch runner, subbing in during the second inning. She would eventually score, tying the game 1-1. Emma Andrew added her third swipe of the year as well.
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COACH DEFEO'S TAKE
"What more can you say about Stella [Preston] – she absolutely killed it today. She owned the game in every way possible, and to see that out of a freshman is really impressive. Our team fed of that energy and was able to come away with more timely hitting late in the game.
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"I can't say how proud I am of Danielle Castleberry. We capitalized on Evansville's walk of Caroline [Taylor] and the error that put Abby [Walsh] on. It was a complete-team effort."
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NOTABLES
- Mercer is now 2-3 all-time against the Purple Aces.
- The Bears' current four-game win streak is their longest since winning seven straight from March 12-19 last year.
- Rud extended her hitting streak to six games with a single in the third inning.
- Taylor has reached base in five straight games.
- Mercer: 4-2
- Evansville: 0-1
- Mercer: vs. SIUE at 11:30 a.m. ET Saturday, Feb. 18 (Plainsman Invitational)
- Evansville: vs. SIUE at 8 p.m. ET Friday, Feb. 17 (Plainsman Invitational)
For complete coverage of Mercer Softball, please follow the Bears on social media at @MercerUSoftball (Twitter), /MercerSoftball (Facebook) and @MercerUSoftball (Instagram) or visit the official home of Mercer Athletics at MercerBears.com.
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