Date Posted: 5/8/2008

DeLAND, Fla. - Jenni Holtz picked up a win in relief and Stacey Condra cranked a two-run homer to lead the Bears to a 3-0 win against Gardner-Webb, avoiding elimination in the 2008 Atlantic Sun Softball Championship. The loss is the first of the Championship for the Bulldogs.

"We didn't generate a lot of offense this morning," Mercer head coach Mike Raynor said. "We knew that if our bats came alive we'd have a chance to play into tomorrow."

Mercer starter Lacey Richardson got into a tight spot with no score in the third inning, giving up a hit and two walks to load the bases with one out. With Gardner-Webb’s third and fourth batters coming up and the Bears facing elimination, they went to the freshman Holtz. The move paid off, as she fanned Jessi Williams and got Christa Fullwood to fly out, ending the Bulldog threat.

"That's been the story of the year for Jenni Holtz," Raynor said. "She steps up for us and gives us an opportunity to win."

Gardner-Webb starting hurler Cindy Boomhower kept the Bears at bay for most of the game, as the game remained scoreless through four.

Mercer broke the 0-0 tie in the top of the fifth when Holly Oglesbee slapped a single into right field, scoring Gigi Eykamp from third.

Leading 1-0, the Bears took that momentum into the sixth inning. After Boomhower retired Jamie Madruga, she was lifted in favor of Taryn Beck, who earned the win against Lipscomb earlier in the day. The first batter Beck faced, Ashley Anderson, roped a double to the gap in right-centerfield. After a groundout by Jena Ellis gave the Bears two outs, Condra connected on her first home run of the season to give the Bears a 3-0 lead.

The margin was more than enough for Holtz. After giving up a hit in the fourth, she didn't allow a base-runner in Gardner-Webb's final three at-bats.

Boomhower suffered the loss for the Bulldogs. Angie Walls had two of their four hits, leading the way at the plate.

Condra's two RBI was only one shy of her season total in conference play this season. Ashley Anderson contributed two hits with a double and a run scored.

Mercer moves on to face Stetson in an elimination game at 3:30 p.m. ET on Friday. Gardner-Webb slips to the loser’s bracket and will face the loser of Thursday’s Campbell vs. ETSU nightcap.