Macon, Ga. – The Furman softball team began a three-game Southern Conference series against the Mercer Bears on Saturday afternoon by dropping both games of a doubleheader at Sikes Field.
The Bears opened the series by sweeping the Paladins in the first two games by scores of 1-0 and 3-2.
Furman falls to 12-21 on the season and 1-4 in SoCon play while Mercer improves to 10-27 overall and 2-6 in the conference.
Game 1 – Mercer 1, Furman 0
Hannah Pitts tossed a complete game shutout in the series opener while Diamond Williams drove in a run as the Bears picked up a 1-0 victory.
Pitts (4-10) limited the Paladins to just one hit during her complete game performance to earn the win in the circle and did not allow a walk while striking out nine.
Sierra Tufts (5-10) took the loss pitching six innings and gave up one run on seven hits, three walks and four strikeouts.
Williams produced the game's only run in the bottom of the fifth inning when her RBI single to left field plated Annie Potter. Potter led off the inning with a double to left field.
Alex Rose Molinar led Furman with one hit in three plate appearances.
Williams went 1-for-2 with one RBI and Rebeca Laudino finished with a game high two hits for Mercer.
Game 2 – Mercer 3, Furman 2
Laudino's two-out RBI single in the bottom of the fourth lifted the Bears to a 3-2 victory in game two.
Katie Rearley collected the win after throwing five innings and surrendered two runs on two hits, one walk and four strikeouts.
Lauralee Scott (3-8) suffered the loss after giving up three runs (two earned) on four hits, two walks and two strikeouts over four innings of work. Bailey Pattison (1) received the save pitching two scoreless innings of relief.
Mercer scored a run in both the first and second innings to take an early 2-0 lead. Williams plated the game's first run in the bottom of the first on an RBI double to center field and Laudino added an RBI single in the bottom of the second.
The Paladins tied the game in the fourth after scoring twice on
Marina Griffin's two RBI double.
Riley Ludlam and
Natalie Morgan both scored on the double by Griffin. Ludlam reached on a fielder's choice while Morgan had an infield single.
Madison Headley, who pinch-ran for Grace Prom, scored the go-ahead run in the fourth when Laudino singled to center field. Prom led off the inning with a walk.
Griffin had two RBI to lead Furman and was 1-for-2 along with Morgan.
Laudino went 2-for-3 for the Bears and had a team best two RBI.
Up Next
The Paladins conclude their series with Mercer on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m.
