Date Posted: 5/8/2008

DeLAND, Fla. - ETSU's Marissa Hardy held Mercer's bats in check, throwing a complete-game shutout, propelling the Lady Bucs to a 2-0 victory in the first game of the 2008 Atlantic Sun Softball Championship.

"I knew Marissa was going to come out and have a great game," ETSU head coach Andrea Mangrum said. "I just prayed we could score a couple runs for her and we did just that."

Hardy battled Mercer ace, Jenni Holtz, in a game where hits were hard to come by. Hardy allowed only three hits and struck out eight, while Holtz allowed five hits and fanned seven batters. The turning point in the game came when Jessie Hackworth lined an RBI-single in the fourth inning, allowing what would be the winning run to score.

Hardy helped her own cause in the seventh, roping a one-out double to the wall in left-center. Kate Powell followed Hardy with a great bunt down the third base line, advancing pinch-runner Caitlin Zyskowski to third. Briana Knight drove in Zykowski with a sacrifice fly to center, giving the Bucs a 2-0 lead they would not relinquish.

The best scoring opportunity for the Bears came in the fourth inning. Page Raynor started off the home-half with a base hit to left field. Jamie Madruga and Ashley Anderson failed to advance Raynor, as both fell victim to strikeouts. Jena Ellis kept the inning alive with a single to center, putting runners at first and second. Hardy battled out of the inning, however, as Stacey Condra flew out in foul territory down the third base line for the third out.

"The last time we faced them, Madruga hit a bomb off me," Hardy said. "I knew I needed to hit my spots and make it move and go right at them."

Hardy got some help from her defense in the third inning. Holly Oglesbee drove a pitch to the warning track in dead center, but was robbed of extra-bases courtesy of a great catch by centerfielder Katy Jett. Jett crashed into the wall in center but managed to hold on to the ball and end the inning.

The leading hitter in the A-Sun coming into the contest, Madruga, came away hitless with two strikeouts and a walk.

The Lady Bucs move into the winner's bracket and play their second game of the day at 8:00 p.m. ET. Mercer faces elimination in the 6:00 p.m. game, facing the winner of the No. 1 Lipscomb vs. No 6 Gardner-Webb match-up.

Related Links:
 • A-Sun Softball Championship Page