Gardner-Webb Falls To No. 3 Mercer
May 08, 2008 | Softball
DELAND, Fla. – The Gardner-Webb softball team was unable to record a second consecutive upset, falling to No. 3 seed Mercer by a 3-0 count Thursday evening in the second round of the Atlantic Sun Conference Championship.
The Bulldogs now stand at 22-34 on the season while the Bears improve to 32-26.
Fresh off an upset of No. 1 Lipscomb, the Bulldogs were primed and ready for another win in the conference tournament.
After Cindy Boomhower retired the designated visitors in the top of the first without allowing a run, head coach Tom Cole's team had a chance to strike first. Senior Kelly Linsley singled to the shortstop to start the bottom of the first. However, she was thrown out while attempting to swipe second. Sophomore Melody Harrell followed her up with another infield single, but was called out because she was ruled to have left early during Jessi Williams' at bat.
Boomhower retired the next six Mercer batters in order, giving the Bulldogs another chance to take the lead.
In the bottom of the third, junior Angie Walls roped a single down the right field line. She promptly moved to second on Lindsay Cox's perfectly played sacrifice bunt. Linsley and Harrell then recorded back-to-back walks to load the bases with only one out. However, Mercer changed pitchers and the visitors were able to get Williams and Christa Fullwood out to end the inning.
After another perfect frame by Boomhower, GWU again had another chance to take the lead in the fourth. With two outs, Adrienne Smith was hit by a pitch. After going to first base, Smith advanced to second on Walls' single through the left side of the infield. However, Cox grounded out to end the frame.
Holly Oglesbee singled through the right side of the infield in the fifth, driving in Gigi Eykamp for what turned out to be the game-winning run. Taryn Beck, who picked up the win in game one of the day for the Bulldogs, came in to relieve Boomhower with one out in the sixth. However, she gave up a two-run homerun to Crystal Condra, giving Mercer a 3-0 lead.
GWU was unable to get anyone on base in the final two innings, ending their chance at a second consecutive upset.
Boomhower (3-11) took the loss despite giving up just one run on six hits while striking out one. Beck worked two-thirds of an inning and gave up two runs on three hits. Alison Coffey worked a perfect seventh frame. Jenni Holtz picked up the win for Mercer and now stands at 15-10.
Walls went two-for-three for the contest while Kelly and Harrell picked up the other two hits for GWU in the game.
The Bulldogs will try to keep their season alive tomorrow as they play at 1 p.m., Friday, in an elimination game against ETSU.
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