MACON, Ga. –
For a Mercer softball team that set the standard for defenses a year ago in the Atlantic Sun, one aspect that has been a point of focus this fall for head coach Mike Raynor was getting more production at the plate.
And with a relatively young lineup, the bevy of softball played over this past weekend provided some extra at bats for a team that returns 18 players from last year’s squad. Five in-state NAIA and JUCO teams marched into Sikes Field over the weekend for the Mercer Fall Festival, and the Bears were able to walk away with a handful of wins.
After a wet and soggy Saturday spoiled several games, Sunday turned in some beautiful fall weather for softball. The Bears got off to a quick start against Georgia Perimeter College generating a run in the bottom of the first inning on an RBI single. After another run scored on a double steal in the bottom of the third to make the score 2-0, sophomore infielder
Sara Stukes laced a shot over the right field wall for a solo homerun.
Stukes is one of those 18 players returning that has had a solid fall at the plate. She has had several homeruns to her credit and been battling in every at bat. The Bears would go on to win the game 3-0 on the strength of the early runs and a poised defense that is sure to make good on their record setting .975% fielding percentage from a year ago.
In the second game, Mercer faced off against NAIA Rinehardt, a team that went 29-22 last season. Again the Bears were able to rely on their solid pitching and strong defense as the team captured their second shut-out win 5-0.
After two scoreless innings the Bears were able to notch a couple of runs in the bottom of the third when senior outfielder Holly Oglesbee got things going on a RBI two-out single. From there the Bears scattered some runs on a wild pitch and a RBI bunt, and then watched as sophomore infielder Stephanie Canara connected on a solo home run of her own in the bottom of the 5th.
Several pitchers received work as well on Sunday as sophomore pitcher
Jessie Holmes got the start against Perimeter and went four scoreless innings in her outing. Junior
Kari Chambers also pitched several scoreless innings this weekend and has quickly solidified her role as the number two pitcher on the roster.
The 2010 season will begin in late January for the Bears as they look to improve upon a record setting 40-win season from a year ago.
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