Late Rally Gives Mercer Split with Softball
2/9/2008 5:02:00 AM | Softball
MACON, Ga. ? A two-run rally in the bottom of the seventh inning of game one by Mercer prevented a Georgia Southern sweep in softball action Saturday afternoon at Sikes Field.
Mercer scored all four of their runs in the opener in the final two innings to win 4-3. GSU exploded for eight runs in the nightcap to prevail 8-2. It was the season opener for Mercer while Georgia Southern moves to 3-1 on the young season.
Game 1: Mercer 4, Georgia Southern 3
The Eagles took a 3-0 lead after four innings thanks to a two-run homer in the first by junior Robyne Siliga (Oceanside, Calif.) and a RBI double by sophomore Sam Russo (Snellville, Ga.) in the fourth.
GSU starter Melissa Laliberte (Cobourg, Ontario, Canada) allowed just three baserunners through the first five frames but ran into trouble in the sixth by loading the bases with one out. Cassy Neilson hit a sacrifice fly to score one and Ashley Anderson followed with a single to cut the lead to 3-2. Sophomore Kristan Glover (Evans, Ga.) retired the final batter to escape further damage.
The Bears took advantage of GSU miscues in the seventh to get the victory. Mercer loaded the bases with two outs and scored the tying run on a wild pitch and walked off with the win when Glover threw the ball away.
Lacey Richardson (0-2) earned the win in relief, tossing four innings of shutout ball. Glover (0-1) took the loss.
Game 2: Georgia Southern 8, Mercer 2
The Eagles scored five times in the sixth to break open a 3-2 game after rallying from an early 2-1 hole.
Junior Michelle Beasley (Metter, Ga.) capped off the outburst with a two-run double to score Russo and sophomore Jenny Side (Loganville, Ga.). Russo and Side also contributed run-scoring singles in the inning.
Siliga went 4-for-4 with two runs while Hopkins went 3-for-5 and also scored twice.
Freshman Megen Smith (Springfield, Ga.) went the distance for Georgia Southern allowing one earned run and four hits (1-0). Richardson (1-1) was tagged with the loss in relief after giving up six runs (three earned) and five hits in three innings of work.
Next up for Georgia Southern is a clash Wednesday at Jacksonville. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.
