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4/5/2009 - SOFTBALL
Mercer, FGCU Split in Series of the Week
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MACON, Ga. - Mercer senior pitcher Lacey Richardson limited a potent Florida Gulf Coast offense to just seven hits en route to a complete-game win, and sophomore Emi Sherrill drew a bases loaded, walk-off base on balls in game two to help the Bears claim a split in Friday afternoon’s Atlantic Sun softball doubleheader at Sikes Field. Mercer fell by a count of 7-5 in game one, but rebounded to earn a 4-3 win in game two.
The split moves Mercer to 25-12 (4-2 A-Sun) on the year while FGCU suffers only its second loss in 32 games, falling to 38-6 (8-2 A-Sun). FGCU is ranked No. 19 in the most recent Ultimate College Softball Poll.
In game one, FGCU held a 4-1 lead in the sixth inning thanks to a pair of Platt home runs and an RBI single by Jessica Gary (Naples, Fla.) when Mercer’s Holly Oglesbee hit a three-run home run to pull the teams even at four apiece. The Eagles responded, scoring three in the top of the seventh on home runs by seniors Jessica Paez (Belle Glade, Fla.) and Jenks.
Mercer scored once more in the bottom of the seventh inning when Cassy Neilson knocked an RBI single back through the middle.
Jenni Holtz took the game one loss and falls to 16-6 on the season. The Eagles tagged her for 11 hits and seven earned runs in 6 2/3 innings of work. Catherine McDaniel (Melbourne, Fla.) improved her perfect record to 17-0 in the win, allowing four runs over six innings.
In game two, the contest was knotted at three in the final inning when Sara Stukes got a Mercer rally started with a leadoff double. After Jenny Goodman walked, Page Raynor hit her fourth single of the day to load the bases for Emi Sherrill, who drew a bases loaded, walk-off base on balls to win game the second game of the day.Both teams scored three runs in the fifth inning of game two. After the Eagles took the 3-0 advantage thanks to a Cheyenne Jenks (Naples, Fla.) sac fly and a Courtney Platt (Naples, Fla.) two-run single, Mercer’s Amanda Santa Maria connected on a solo homer, and later Jenny Goodman contributed a pair of RBI to tie the game.
