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MACON, Ga. –
The Mercer women’s softball team will host a dizzying amount of activities and softball action this Halloween weekend as the Bears wrap up their 2009 Fall Ball schedule.
Head Coach
Mike Raynor’s Bears will welcome numerous in-state junior college programs to Sikes Field this weekend for two full days of exhibition games in preparation of the 2010 season. In total, five games will be played against Brewton Parker, Georgia Coastal, Gordon College, Georgia Perimeter and Rinehardt College throughout the weekend.
With a firm core of players returning from a record setting 40-19 team a year ago, the Bears are using the fall to solidify a winning atmosphere that was established last season.
“This fall has been about transitioning the team chemistry from the spring to fall,” Raynor said. “We have spent lots of time in fall on offense. We have been building off of what we accomplished in the spring and will be even better next season.”
“After the first week, we came together as a team and I have been impressed so far,” Raynor said of his team’s performance in the fall. “Time will tell.We just need to stay healthy.”
With the departure of only four seniors from last year’s team and only four freshmen coming in, the majority of Raynor’s players are a mixture of sophomores and juniors. That being the case, this weekend will also provide his coaching staff an opportunity to look at some junior college talent that can help fill roster spots in the future.
“We get the chance to bring in over 100 players and evaluate them, just as they get to experience our facilities and campus environment. We really look forward to it,” Raynor said.
In addition to possibly discovering a new hidden talent, this fall has also served as a proving ground for several current Bears. Juniors
Allison Jones and
Anna Johnson have continued to make strides at the plate and pose an interesting threat in the middle of the lineup.
Sara Stukes and
Amanda Santa Maria have become a dynamic defensive duo in the middle of the infield and have also been swinging the bat effectively this fall.
Fellow junior
Kari Chambers has solidified her spot as the number two pitcher and has exhibited a whole new level of composure and confidence in the circle, according to assistant coach
Kelley Bretscher.
The Bears will also welcome the return of sophomore outfielder Megan Rutherford this weekend. Rutherford practiced all week and has been cleared to play after she had an emergency appendectomy earlier this fall.
“I am expecting us to play well this weekend,” Raynor said. “We need to really get some enthusiasm in the dugout and focus on each individual game as this is our last game situation of the fall.”
The Bear Paw, Mercer softball’s fundraising committee, will also be having a “Fall Festival” on Saturday to raise some funds for the upcoming season. Plates can be purchased for $8.00 and the meal includes a choice of bbq meat and two sides.
“We have a great parent base that becomes a big part of our financial support group. Our parents are going to provide meals and plates of food as a fundraiser. It is great because that contributes to the social aspect of the game which is important as well.
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