April 29, 2009
Box Score
MERCER, Ga. ---- The Samford softball team fell, 6-3, in its first meeting of a three-game series with Mercer Wednesday night. The Bulldogs and Bears will play a doubleheader on Thursday to close out the series.
Samford (18-26, 10-14 SoCon) was led by Aaren Fisher who went 2-for-2 with one RBI on the evening. Kylie Harmon also had two hits in four appearances at the plate with one RBI as well. Robyn Harmon drove in Samford's third run while going 1-for-3 at the plate. Jessica Owens was also 1-for-3 on the evening.
Stephanie Royall (8-9) took the loss for the Bulldogs after giving up six runs in the first two and one-third innings. Robyn Harmon came on in relief in the bottom of the third, pitching 2.2 innings and giving up just two hits while striking out one batter and walking one. Kayla Burris pitched the last inning for Samford.
Mercer (36-16, 14-6 A-Sun) was led by Stacey Condra who went 2-for-3 with two RBI. Amanda Santa Maria went a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate while Holly Oglesbee went 1-for-4 and Jena Ellis was 1-for-2, each with an RBI. Allison Jones was also 1-for-4 while Emi Sherrill was 1-for-1.
Lacey Richardson (14-7) earned the win for the Bears, pitching 4.2 innings while striking out five batters and giving up just one earned run on three hits. Richardson came on in relief of Jenni Holtz who started for Mercer at the pitcher's circle. Holtz struck out three batters but gave up two earned runs on three hits and walked one.
Mercer took an early 3-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. The Bears plated their first run when Royall hit Brandy Keeter with the bases loaded to walk in Ashlei Alig. Oglesbee then singled up the middle to drive in Santa Maria before Condra was walked in to score the Bears' third run.
Samford answered back and cut the lead to one as they scored two in the top of the third. Whitney Terry led off the inning with a walk before stealing second base and advancing to third on a sacrifice bunt by Amanda Jordan. Kylie Harmon singled up the middle to bring Terry home and Robyn Harmon followed that up with a triple to right field to bring her older sister around the bases to score the Bulldogs' second run.
The Bears added three more runs in the bottom of the third inning as Mercer went on a two-out rally to take a 6-2 lead. With two runners on Condra stepped up and doubled to drive in Santa Maria and Cassy Neilson who were on first and second, respectively. Sherrill followed with another double to drive in Condra before the Bulldogs made a pitching change and Oglesbee grounded out to end the inning.
The Bulldogs tacked one more run in the top of the fourth Fisher singled down the right field line to bring home Owens who was on second base. Robyn Harmon and Burris combined for three more scoreless innings at the circle while Mercer retained its three-point lead and went on to win, 6-3.
Thursday doubleheader is slated to begin at 3 p.m. at Sikes Field. A full recap and results will be available on www.samfordsports.com upon the completion of the final game. Fans can follow all the action via live stats through links on www.mercerbears.com.
