Bears Fall Twice in Double Header

Friday, February 18

Jacksonville, FL

5:00 P.M.

Mercer University

1-6

University of North Florida

5-1

MERCER

North Florida

2/19/2022 8:40:00 AM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Mercer loses both games to UNF

By: Nicole Dennis

Jacksonville, Fl. – The Mercer Bears drop their two games against the University of North Florida in the first day of the JU/UNF Invitational, (5-2, 2-4).

"Hannah and Riley both threw well enough to win today," said Head Coach Lindsay Fico. "Our defense has to get sharper, and we have to continue to work harder in the box to make adjustments."

Game One: UNF 5, Mercer 2
The first inning would be scoreless for both teams. The Bears managed to get on the board with a run from Atira McGowan, as she pinch ran for Kylie Helm. Helms led off with a single up the middle followed by a walk from Tori Hedgecock. Before the walk, McGowan stole second, placing her in the position to advance to third with a ground ball from Sophie Sumner. Rebeca Laudino would reach on a pitcher's choice to third base, McGowan scored. Bears lead, 1-0.

The Ospreys responded with a triple to right field from Ashley Goebel in their lead of the second. Logan Jackson's reach on a fielder's choice allowed Goebel to score, tie game at one.

The next on the board would be the Bears after another strong start from home. Helm reached on error and Hedgecock walked, again. Another error by the Ospreys allowed Sumner to reach and Helm to score extending the Bears lead, 2-1.

The Ospreys regained the lead in the bottom of the fifth. A Kayla Harper single would get her on first base and a homer by Kayla McGory would bring them both home to take a one-point lead. A double by Paige Pfent and a Goebel single brought Regan Hermeling (pinch runner) home, 4-2.

A pitch hit on Bailee Aguigui would eventually result in the final run of the game. Aguigui advanced home because of singles from Jackson and Abi Annett and an error on the Bears which allowed Harper to advance.

The Bears were unable to answer in the seventh, finishing the game: 5-2 Ospreys.
Game Two: UNF 4, Mercer 2

A walk by Hedgecock would start the second game. Morgan Hall recorded a hit with a single to shortstop shortly before the end of the inning. Tori Ash recorded a hit in the second inning, but the Bears would not score until the third. A double from Hedgecock would start the top of the third followed by a triple from Braun, advancing Hedgecock home, 1-0. A single from Helm allowed Braun to score giving the Bears a two- point lead, 2-0. Kenlie Harvey recorded a hit in the inning with the single through the left field, Ash walked.

The Ospreys found an answer in the third. A few singles, a ground ball, and a double would score Annett and Aguigui, tying the game at two. Both sides would be unable to score or hit until the sixth.

Annie Potter started as the lead and reached on a throwing error. A bunt from Ash allowed Potter to advance to second and a single from Diamond Williams put Potter on third. Despite bases being loaded by Potter, Alyssa Woods (runner) and Hedgecock (walk), the bears were unable to find a way to score.

The Ospreys extended their lead in the bottom of the sixth with a few singles getting them on base allowing Goebel and Pfent to score, 4-2. The Bears were unable to produce any runs in the top of the seventh.

Up Next
The Bears will play Michigan State Saturday, February 19^th at 2:30 p.m. and Jacksonville at 6:00 p.m.

Follow the Bears
For complete coverage of Mercer Softball, please follow the Bears on social media at @MercerUSoftball (Twitter), /MUSoftball (Facebook) and @MercerUSoftball (Instagram) or visit the official home of Mercer Athletics at MercerBears.com.
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