Box Score

MACON, Ga. – The Savannah State Lady Tigers fell, 0-8, in their final nonconference game of the 2013 season to Mercer University in Macon, Georgia on Wednesday.

The final road game of the regular season was a make-up after the originally scheduled doubleheader was rained out on February 13. SSU falls to 21-19 overall, while Mercer improves to 24-29.

Julia Rice had a stellar outing for the Bears, picking up her 13^th pitching win of the season after 5.0 innings of work. Rice allowed only one hit with three strikeouts in the five-inning game.

Mercer went to work early at the plate, putting up four runs in the bottom of the first. McKenzie Woody stole home on a botched throw to open the scoring. Ashton Holt singled down the left field line, platting Kaytlin Haney who walked.

A single from Natalie Shiver scored two more runs for the Bears, lifting the home team to a 4-0 advantage after a complete inning.

After a hitless second inning, the Lady Tigers avoided the no-hitter in the top of the third. Antonette Smith singled to reach, but was later caught stealing. A ground-out from Michaela Patton stranded Rachel White, who was hit with a pitch, to end the inning, and the Lady Tigers best chance to score.  

In the bottom of the third, the Bears' Molly Garmany blasted a home run over the left field wall, scoring Shiver. Marissa Botz later scored on an error to give Mercer an 8-0 led after three innings.

Savannah State was unable to reach or score in the remaining 1.5 innings, as Rice sealed up the mercy-rule, shutout in the fifth by sitting the first three Lady Tiger batters.

SSU freshman Amanda McDowell was tagged with her 9^th loss of the season after 3.0 innings in the circle. She allowed eight runs (seven earned) on six hits with five walks and one strikeout.

The Lady Tigers return to action with the first of two Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) series, this weekend at Lady Tiger Field in Savannah.

SSU host three-time defending MEAC Champions Bethune-Cookman in a three-game conference series, beginning with a doubleheader on Saturday, April 27 at 1 p.m. Admission to the games is free.