Saturday, April 21, 2007

MACON, Ga. - Mercer earned its first conference sweep of the season Saturday at Sikes Field, taking the A-Sun Series of the Week from Jacksonville. The Bears used a late rally in the first game to defeat the Dolphins, 3-2, and took the second game into extra innings, prevailing in the bottom of the ninth for a 7-6 victory.

Both teams were scoreless in the first game entering the top of the fourth when Jacksonville’s Ashley Mora hit a lead-off homer to give the Dolphins the lead. The Bears knotted things up in the fifth. Ashley Anderson drew the lead-off walk and advanced to second as Crystal Condra reached base on an error by Dolphins pitcher Shannon Jensen. Freshman Jena Ellis followed with a double to left field to bring home Anderson and tie things at one apiece.

The Bears added to their lead in the next frame when Kelley Bretscher got things going with a one-out single through the right side. The senior was pushed to second as Jamie Madruga drew a walk but was thrown out on a fielder’s choice as Kristin Talamantes reached first safely. Anderson kept things going with a two-out infield single, and C.J. Martin sealed the deal with a two-run single through the right side to plate Madruga and Lindsay Talamantes, who had stepped in to run for Kristin.

Jacksonville gave Mercer a scare in the top of the seventh as they were able to push a run across with on a RBI-single by Alexis Novak. A line-out and a ground-out retired the side, ending the game and giving the Bears a 3-2 victory.