April 10, 2013
MACON, Ga. – The Mercer softball team (23-23) took a 3-1 lead into the bottom of the fourth and scored five runs en route to a 9-1 win in five innings over Georgia Tech (18-22) Wednesday at Sikes Field. It marks Mercer’s second win against Georgia Tech since 2008, as the Bears swept the season series.
Up 3-1, Mercer loaded the bases on a walk, a single and a Georgia Tech error. Yellow Jacket starter Kyle Kleinschmidt issued a bases loaded no-out walk to Kaytlin Haney to put Mercer up 4-1.
Krista Kennedy followed that with a two-RBI single. With one out and two on, an Ashton Holt grounder made its way under Ashley Thomas’s glove at short to plate Haney and move Kennedy to third. Kennedy scored on a wild pitch.
Kleinschmidt gave up one more single and caught Molly Garmany looking before Karly Fullem replaced her in the circle. Fullem induced a pop up from Natalie Shiver to end the frame.
The Jackets kicked off the fifth inning with the top of the order in Ashley Thomas who was hit with the first pitch. She moved to third on a single smoked to right center by Alysha Rudnik.
Rudnik stole second when Hope Rush struck out, but the two runners were stranded as the next two Jackets lined out. The Jackets left seven runners on base in the contest.
Mercer’s Marissa Botz drilled a leadoff double through the right side to open the bottom of the fifth. A groundout by McKenzie Woody moved the winning run to third. Sarah Santana stepped to the plate with one out and lined a 2-2 pitch to right, giving Mercer the 9-1 run-rule victory.
Georgia Tech’s lone run came in the second inning. Katie Johnsky walked to start the stanza, reached second as Caitlyn Coffey was hit with a pitch and took third on a Chelsie Thomas ground out. With two outs, Hayley Downs roped a Kerri Nidiffer offering through the right side to score Johnsky.
Kleinschmidt (3-3) endured the loss with eight runs on four hits and six walks.
Nidiffer (11-12) picked up the win, surrendering one run on one hit.
The Jackets are back in action this weekend with a three-game home set against Maryland. Saturday’s doubleheader begins at 1 p.m. with the series finale slated for Sunday at 1 p.m.
