MERCER, Ga. - Campbell's softball team (13-18-1, 1-2 Atlantic Sun)
took the game into extra inning but were defeated by Mercer (17-14,
1-0 Atlantic Sun) by a 1-0 margin in 10 innings in the first game
of the team's two games on Saturday, March 27 at Sikes Field. The
1-0 game was the third time in as many games that a Campbell and
Mercer game has been a 1-0 affair.
Sophomore Christina Melton (6-6) and
Mercer's Jenni Holtz (11-9) were able to match zeros with each
other for nine innings and it took a wild pitch with a runner on
third for the only run of the game. Melton allowed just three hits
with seven strikeouts in 9.1 innings throw. Holtz was even better
in throwing a 10 inning no-hitter with three walks and 12
strikeouts.
The Bears threatened in the first inning. Amanda Santa Maria walked
and Kristin Marko followed with a single to left. Lilli Luke then
reached on a two-out fielding error from the Campbell third
baseman. Melton was able to get out of the bases loaded jam though
and got a hard line drive to freshman Sarah
Forgacs in left field to end the inning.
The Campbell fourth started promising with Forgacs drawing a lead
off walk. The base runner was the first of the game for CU. The
freshman then stole second. Holtz got out of the jam though with
two strikeouts and a fly out to keep the game scoreless.
Mercer nearly broke through in the bottom of the frame. Sara
Goodman walked and Brandy Keeter was able to reach first on the
throwing error from the Campbell first baseman. The Camels were
able to get a most unusual triple play. Allison Jones struck out.
The runners on first and second started to run and both runners
moved up a base. Goodman was then thrown out by the senior Cassie
Webb at home as she tried to score. Keeter attempted to follow
her and was thrown out by McGee to Leathers at third for the third
and final out of the inning.
Oglesbee reached on a one-out single in the fifth. CU center
fielder Katie Hinton did a great job
limited the gapped ball to a single. After a sacrifice bunt to move
her over, Marko was walked to put runners on first and second.
Melton was able to strike out Stukes then to keep the game
scoreless heading to the sixth inning.
Luke started the Mercer sixth and reached on the fielding error on
the CU third baseman. Junior Amanda Miller then fielded a
ball that was ticket for centerfield on the bag at second to start
a double play to erase pinch runner Anna Johnson at second and
Goodman at first. The next batter was retired on an all or nothing
play by the new Campbell third baseman, Katie Woodcock, to
retire the side and keep the game scoreless into the seventh.
Melton started the CU eighth and reached on the fielding error from
the Mercer first baseman. Two strikeout and a runner caught
stealing ended the threat for CU.
Luke started the Mercer ninth with a walk. She was erased on a
fielder's choice with Goodman reaching first off the nice throw
from Woodcock. Goodman then stole second. Melton was able to retire
the next two on ground outs to keep the game scoreless heading to
the 10th inning.
Forgacs was placed on second to start the 10th because of the
international tie breaker rule. After a strikeout, McGee was
intentionally walked. A ground out forced McGee at second and
allowed Stephan to reach base. Stephan then stole second before
Melton was walked to load the bases. Leathers then attempted to
push a single up the middle but it was snagged by Santa Maria to
keep the game scoreless.
In the Mercer 10th, Stephanie Canara was placed on second. She
moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. Oglesbee was then walked to
put runners on the corners. A wild pitch then brought in Canara
with the only run of the game.
