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(04/25/12 7:26pm)
Coming off a stretch that saw the Bears win 13 of 16 between March 14 and April 7, the Bears’ season has unraveled in the wrong direction as they have lost both ace pitcher Jessica Holsinger and nine games in a row. All nine contests were in conference as well. The Bears slid from the top-seeded 4-1 record in the A-Sun to their current 5-11 disappointment.
Mercer 3, Stetson 6
Beginning their four-game road stint against conference foes Stetson and FGCU, the Bears were in search for consistency in the circle and at the plate. Jumping out to a 1-0 lead in the first, the Hatters responded with six runs in the first two innings to squash any hope of a Mercer victory. The Bears added two runs with back-to-back homers in the fifth before being silenced by Stetson reliever Meredith Owen.
Mercer 4, Stetson 6
The Bears found themselves in a similar situation with a 6-1 deficit in the second inning of game two. Owens held the Bears off the scoreboard until the sixth where Mercer fell just short of completing a comeback. Senior Kerri Nidiffer pitched an impressive four-plus innings while allowing only one run.
Mercer 1, FGCU 9
The Bears continued their current slide when they traveled to Fort Myers to take on the FGCU Eagles. Knotted 1-1 after three, the Eagles strung together a flurry of hits en route to their eight runs in two innings. The five-run bottom half of the fifth put an end to the run-ruled pounding. Nine different Eagle players recorded hits in the contest.
Mercer 2, FGCU 10
The Eagles put on an encore performance in game two of the doubleheader with six runs in the third and four runs in the fifth. Mercer continued its trend of scoring early with two runs in the second. On that same token, the Bears proved to struggle in the latter innings as three errors and seven FGCU hits plated home 10 runs in five frames.
Belmont 4, Mercer 3
Coming back home for four games against the Bruins and Bison of Tennessee, the Bears suffered two heartbreaking losses at the hands of the then 9-29 Bruins. In game one, Mercer jumped out in front 3-1 after four innings. The Bruins would mount a comeback in the sixth frame with three runs of their own. In the game, Belmont, batting just .210 on the season, manufactured only two hits. Mercer’s two errors led to two unearned runs that proved to be the difference in the final outcome.
Belmont 7, Mercer 6
Game two proved to be just as painful as the Bruins jumped out to a commanding 6-0 lead. The Bears pulled within two after a Lilli Luke solo shot and a Caitlin Peisel sacrifice fly in the sixth. Belmont added an insurance run with a solo blast of its own in the top half of the seventh. Mercer continued to fight as Molly Garmany and Luke began the last frame with back-to-back hits. With no one out, Tiffany Phillips belted a ball to the fence in right center. Belmont’s Heather Turner made a stellar defensive catch up against the wall that proved to be the play of the game. As it was, the runners advanced a bag apiece as the score stood 7-5. Sara Stukes would ground out for out number two to pull within one. Peisel’s soaring fly ball to the warning track brought gasps to the hopeful Mercer crowd as the Belmont outfielder corralled the final out.
Lipscomb 8, Mercer 2
Nine hits and two runs wasn’t enough for the Bears to snap their seven-game losing streak. Mercer left 12 runners on base and made three errors in the six-run loss. DeFeo’s bunch scattered nine hits from nine different players in the balanced offensive attack. Meanwhile, the Bison had three players tally three hits in the 16-hit parade. Lipscomb’s Whitney Kiihnl recorded her 20th victory from the circle.
Lipscomb 5, Mercer 2
With the season slipping away from the Bears, they looked to avoid their ninth consecutive loss in A-Sun play. Lipscomb’s 10 hits from seven players silenced the Mercer squad. Having a commanding 5-1 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh, the Bison didn’t break a sweat in their eighth A-Sun victory of the season. The offensive struggles continued as the game marked the ninth time in 11 games where the Bears scored three runs or less.
In the current nine-game losing streak, the Bears pitching staff has given up eight hits or more six times. They have also given up six runs or more in six of the nine matches. During that span, Mercer has been outscored 57 to 24.
After a start to the season that saw the Bears begin 0-6 and then an impressive stretch of games that brought the team to a season-best 24-15, Mercer finds themselves sitting at .500 for the first time since March 17.
Head Coach James DeFeo shared his thoughts on the recent turn of events in the season: “After the first few series of A-Sun Conference play, we were playing very well and sat on top of the standings. Jess went down and had some other injuries to key players and we lost some close games,” he said. “We are rallying as a team and look to finish out the season strong,” added the first year head coach.
The Bears have only Kennesaw State left on the schedule for conference play. They play them in a road doubleheader on April 28.
Between games on Saturday, April 21, Mercer fans and players alike took time to pay tribute to the talented graduating class in their final home game of the year. Seniors Sara Stukes, Tiffany Phillips, Kassie Bailey, Lilli Luke, Caitlin Peisel and Kristin Marko were honored in the ceremony.
(04/25/12 7:12pm)
Since the ripe age of two, I have been taught the mechanics and commitment of many sports. Whether it was baseball, swimming, water polo, track, football or basketball, I never stayed with it. I failed myself time and time again. It wasn’t for a lack of talent or effort, but rather a fear of devotion.
Playing baseball from when I could walk, I was a member of a team until my graduating days of elementary school. My life hit a turn at the end of fifth grade when Boys & Girls Club was no longer a part of my everyday routine. I had to become more focused on school and my future.
Since that point, middle and high school were years of experimenting with different clubs and sports until my judgment told me “No more.”
The passion of playing and watching has never left me. Whether it is playing tennis with my brothers, shooting hoops with my cousins or hitting some balls in Intramurals, the love for competition will always stay with me.
One of the biggest life decisions I have ever made included me stepping away from team sports. When offered a football helmet, baseball bat or swimming trunks, I told myself it wasn’t the right move. Is there regret? Definitely. I regret giving up baseball nearly every day of my life. I see friends getting drafted and children playing and think: “That could be me.” Don’t feel sorry for me though. This was my choice.
My life has taken a different direction. I am using my adoration for the game and putting it to good use. I am going to work behind the scenes in sports. Whether it is reporting on baseball, compiling video for basketball or helping in the development of youngsters in coaching, this is my predestined path. I can’t fully explain it.
When many of my friends wondered what they would do with their studies after high school, I always knew. I’m not saying I had a job and a major picked out. I had no clue. I just know this is the one thing in life I will not give up on. No matter how many sports I never committed to or people I let down in the past, I am going to make up for it by making this dream a reality.
With the recent struggles in the economy, job searching is horrifically tough. I am terrified that I won’t have a job by this day or in this location, but that’s okay. I am going to listen to those around me when they say to “Take things one day at a time.” I have applied to every place imaginable and garnered the experience needed to work in any sports-related field. I may not know how to do everything, but I certainly plan on learning.
As a graduating senior, do I know where I am going to be in 30 years? Hell no. I don’t even know where I’m going to be in 30 days. I could be shooting video in California or designing sports packages in New Jersey. I don’t care where the idea takes me, but I am sticking with it. I have never been more certain in my life about anything. I will not cave. This is my path and I will follow it wherever it takes me.
I have been working for this newspaper for close to four years now. I have been the sports editor for three. I understand the paper will live on without me just as it did before me. I hope to leave behind a memory of passion, devotion and strive for perfection in my place. No matter what happens to me after May 12, my love for the profession stays with me. My willingness to learn and grow in the field will keep me pushing forward in hopes of becoming the best possible individual I can be.
Mercer sports have been a huge part of my life and I say thank you to all the individuals who have helped me along the way. Every phone call, email, game, interview and event has made me the professional I am today. I wish to thank my line of staff writers over the years. Many have come and gone and their presence will forever be inked in Mercer Athletics history.
Thank you coaches, players and fans for such great participation over the years. Without you, there would be no job for me to carry out and enjoy. In my heart, I will always be the sports editor for The Cluster. Go Bears!
(04/25/12 7:07pm)
As the 2012 baseball season dwindles to it’s final stretch, Mercer continuously shows strength at home and lackluster performances on the road. The Bears split matches on the road in their mid-week tilts with in-state rivals Georgia Tech and Georgia State. Mercer then came home and nearly swept a conference series against a strong Belmont squad. The Bears would cap their tough stretch losing a solo match at Kennesaw State and two of three at ETSU in Johnson City, Tenn.
Mercer 4, Georgia Tech 6
The Bears were unable to come up with a victory in the seesaw battle with the home-team Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. After holding a 2-0 lead in the top half of the second, the Tech team plated home three of their own to take their first lead of the game. Tying the game in the third, the Bears held onto a 3-3 tie until the bottom half of the fourth. The Yellow Jackets would add two more in the sixth to hold off the late push from the Bears. Mercer used a barrage of pitchers in the eight-man effort.
Mercer 12, Georgia State 5
The Bears continued their Atlanta trip with a seven-run victory over the in-state Panthers from Georgia State. The contest proved to be a hitting clinic with 28 hits combined. Mercer tallied 16 hits scattered between eight batters. Sophomore Nick Backlund led the Bears with his 5-for-6 outburst. The Bears jumped on the Panthers with five runs in the first with patient at-bats and a three-run home run by Logan Gaines. The Mercer team never looked back as they added four in the fourth and three in the seventh.
Belmont 4, Mercer 7
The Bears used another stellar performance by Nick Backlund and pitcher Brandon Love to take game one of the conference series against the visiting Belmont Bruins. A pair of RBI from each of the six through eight spots of Logan Gaines, Travis Benn and Derrick Workman powered the Mercer offense to its fifth A-Sun victory.
Belmont 4, Mercer 10
Mercer used an astounding bullpen performance which included Morgan Pittman’s five shutout innings of relief to help lift them to a six-run come-from-behind victory. Scoring early, the Bruins plated home four runs in the first as they looked to even the series at one. Jamie McMillan led the charge with an early three-run home run in the bottom half of the first frame. It was all Bears from there. Mercer used an Evan Boyd two-run double and a Nate Moorhouse two-run single to provide the offensive spark.
Belmont 7, Mercer 6
In an attempt to sweep their first conference series of the season, the Bears suffered one of their toughest losses of the year. Leading by as many as five runs, the Bears bullpen collapsed in the late innings in the eventual extra-inning affair. The Bruins posted three runs in the seventh and tied the game with two in the eighth. Mercer made matters worse when they spoiled away bases loaded opportunities in the ninth and 11th. Appropriately enough, the Bruins would proceed in plating home the winning run with small ball in the 13th.
Mercer 1, Kennesaw St. 6
The Bears carried on their inability to manufacture runs from the extra innings of game three against Belmont in the solo game against the Owls of Kennesaw State. Mercer could only muster four hits in the five-run defeat. The Owls used a balance attack of 11 hits from seven players to power them to six runs of offense.
Mercer 3, ETSU 1
Game two of the nine-game road series turned out to be an impressive pitcher’s duel. Starters Brandon Love and Jake Long combined for 14.1 innings of three-run ball. Mercer’s Love outlasted Long with his eight-plus frames. He surrendered just seven hits and one run. Knotted 1-1 in the sixth, Nate Moorhouse’s RBI groundout proved to be the game-winner. Jamie McMillan added an insurance run with a RBI hit in the following frame.
Mercer 8, ETSU 13
Game two of the three-game set proved polar opposite from that of the first. Game one saw a combined four runs and 15 hits. Game two tallied 21 runs and 27 hits. Leading 6-4 after six, the Bears surrendered four hits, four walks, one hit-by-pitch and seven runs in the decisive seventh inning frame. The teams would trade two runs in the eighth in the eventual five-run ETSU win.
Mercer 2, ETSU 7
In the rubber match of the three-game series, the Bears found themselves on the losing end of a five-run game. Trading runs in the first, the Bears trailed 2-1 in the early going. ETSU would appropriately add one run in the fourth with some small ball and four runs in the seventh with some big ball. In the fourth, the Bucs manufactured a run on a suicide squeeze play. In the seventh, ETSU solidified the win with a grand slam off the bat of Dylan Pratt.
With the recent turn of events, the Bears are 7-11 in conference play. That is good for eighth in the A-Sun with three-game sets against Jacksonville, North Florida and Upstate still remaining.
The Bears play two at Alabama State before completing their final road trip in Jacksonville on April 29. Mercer returns to Claude Smith Field for the final nine games of the season on May 8-19.
(04/11/12 7:51pm)
Riding a seven-game win streak, Mercer Softball has erased a slow 0-6 start en route to a potential Atlantic Sun Tournament berth. Kicking off conference play on the road, the Bears hoped to continue their stellar play against the conference-leading S.C. Upstate. Splitting games with Upstate, Jacksonville and North Florida and sweeping on the road against ETSU, the Bears find themselves at 5-3 midway through conference competition.
S.C. Upstate 8, Mercer 7
In a game in which the Bears piled up 13 hits and seven runs, the team fell just short in a one-run loss at the hands of conference foe S.C. Upstate. Trailing 8-3 entering the seventh, the Bears couldn’t complete the comeback effort in their first conference contest of the season.
S.C. Upstate 1, Mercer 4
Facing the 27-4 powerhouse Upstate in the second game of the doubleheader, freshman Jessica Holsinger and the Bears found a way to win in a 4-1 rain-delayed contest. Earning their 20th win of the year, Holsinger also garnered her 10th victory of the season. Senior Sara Stukes’ single in the sixth sparked the Bears as she would come around to score the second run of the game. The eventual decisive blow would be Randi Rae’s two-run home run to extend their lead to 4-0.
ETSU 3, Mercer 4
Continuing their road tests against conference rivals, the Bears were challenged with a Saturday doubleheader against East Tennessee State. In the first game, the Bears trailed by as many as three when they were down 3-0 after one. DeFeo’s squad would mount a comeback off a solo shot by Sara Stukes, a RBI double by Kristin Marko and defensive miscues by the Lady Bucs. The three-run fifth would be more than enough for the Bears as they held onto the 4-3 victory. The win brought Holsinger’s record to a remarkable 11-2.
ETSU 2, Mercer 3
Coming off the one-run thriller in game one, the Bears did much of the same with some late-inning heroics by Jessica Holsinger and Kristin Marko. Marko drove in the go-ahead run in the seventh with a RBI single. Pitching into the seventh inning for the Bears was starter Kassie Bailey. Having allowed just the two runs and with the 3-2 lead, DeFeo made a move as Holsinger would make her second appearance of the day. With runners on second and third and nobody out, Holsinger would walk the tight rope. Inducing a foul and out and walking the following batter, the bases were loaded with one out left to get. The freshman out of Idaho would strike out the next batter before getting the last batter to pop out.
When asked about the early conference play and their impressive stretch of wins, Coach James DeFeo credited his girls for the work they have put in. “We are starting to hit our stride right now. The girls are starting to understand what type of ball we need to play – tough inning-by-inning, pitch-by-pitch. We are playing a lot more consistently,” said DeFeo.
Jacksonville 2, Mercer 6
After dropping their first conference match against Upstate, the Bears were looking for their fourth-consecutive conference win with a victory over Jacksonville in their home doubleheader. The Bears did just that as another come-from-behind win against the visiting Dolphins. Down 2-0 after a JU home run, the Bears answered right back with a RBI hit from Caitlin Peisel and a two-run blast from Krista Kennedy. The home run was the Bears’ first of the year at home this season. With the 3-2 lead, the Bears would never look back as they would add three more between the fifth and sixth innings. The win slots the Bears a season-best nine-over .500 with a 23-14 record.
Jacksonville 3, Mercer 0
In the back end of the doubleheader, the Bears were unable to capitalize on the opportunities at-hand and were shut out for the first time since March 6. Pitching with a little wildness, Holsinger made only one mistake in the game that resulted in the three runs and her third loss of the season. JU’s Amanda Schmidt connected on a three-run home run in the third inning to put the only runs of the game on the board. Although the Bears outhit the Dolphins 7-4, JU’s Brittany Eppley dazzled with her own complete game shutout. Mercer had an opportunity to win in the seventh with two runners on base and only one out. Freshman sensation McKenzie Woody would strike out before Marko’s eventual game-ending ground out.
North Florida 2, Mercer 3
Following a similar trend, the Bears would once again win game one of the weekend doubleheader behind the arm and bat of Kassie Bailey. In a game that saw both defenses kick the ball around to give one another two runs on the board, the game was deadlocked 2-2 in the seventh. With two down and the bases full of Mercer runners, Bailey would help herself out by depositing a UNF pitch over the shortstop’s head for the walk-off victory. In the game, Caitlin Peisel stayed hot with a 3-for-3 in the box score. She has nine hits in her last four games. She has raised her batting average from .217 to .328.
North Florida 2, Mercer 1
With a tough 2-1 loss against UNF, the Bears split a doubleheader for the ninth time this season. It marks the ninth time in which the Bears have been unable to win the second game of a back-to-back. Down 2-0 for the bulk of the game, UNF would help plate a runner home for the Bears with a bases loaded hit-by-pitch in the fifth. Down 2-1 with Woody as the potential tying run on second, the Bears were unable to score. With Peisel and Bailey listed to hit, Woody on second and only one out, the Bears had the piece
(04/11/12 7:41pm)
Even though the 2012 season has just begun and the taste of the dirt is just now sinking in, so much has been unfolded in just a few games.
After the incredible finish to the 2011 year, a swirl of offseason acquisitions were made. Many teams are taking a much different shape and approach to their play on the diamond this season. The postseason could have a much different feel this upcoming year.
Here are my top seven early occurrences that differed from 2011. (In no particular order)
As of Sunday, April 8:
1. Pujols starting in an Angels uniform… I don’t know about you guys, but I still think it’s weird to see him out of the Cardinals lineup. He is still wearing basically the same colors but it doesn’t seem right. He is going to hit and the Angels are going to pitch. They will definitely be in the mix come October.
2. The impressive start for the Cardinals… After the subtraction of Pujols from the lineup, nobody expected the Cardinals to score a lot of runs. After the subtraction of Carpenter from the rotation, nobody expected the Cardinals to pitch all that well. They are hitting more than ever and holding their own on the mound in the early goings. The addition of Carlos Beltran in right field has turned out to be a nice acquisition so far. Berkman moves to first and there seems to be no loss defensively. It doesn’t hurt that David Freese continues to tear the cover off the ball whenever there are two out and men on base.
3. The Mets and Orioles are 3-0?... It is still so early in the year and both of these teams play in extremely hard divisions, but it is impressive nonetheless. With the rising Marlins, the improved Nationals, the hungry Braves and the powerhouse Phillies in the NL East, the Mets seem to be the slated dwellers. In the AL, the O’s are going to have some tough luck with the Rays, Yankees, Red Sox and Blue Jays all fighting for postseason contention late in the year. I still don’t see them having enough pitching and/or talent to sustain a good record throughout the year. Celebrate while you can now boys because in August and September, you will be number four or five in your divisions.
4. Tigers are looking unbeatable... Having Miguel Cabrera in a lineup is great. Having Justin Verlander in a rotation is great. Having Prince Fielder in a lineup is great. Having all three of these is borderline unfair. These are three potential MVP candidates. When you have guys like Alex Avila hitting walk-off home runs, you don’t give any other team a chance. The righty-lefty duo of Miggy and Prince are hitting everything out of the park as well. It used to be where you could just pitch around Miggy when the opportunity presented itself. Good luck now. I would not want to be in the AL. All the pitchers in the AL Central will be dragging their feet when they see their name slated to pitch against this lineup. How bad would you feel if you had to face this lineup and potentially go head-to-head against the defending Cy Young/AL MVP in Justin Verlander all in the same game? Put your head between your knees and kiss your ass goodbye. They might send you to the minors.
5. Yankees and Red Sox are 0-3?... That’s something you don’t see every day. These first few days for the Rays, Red Sox, Orioles, Yankees, Braves and Cardinals are looking a lot similar to the final days of 2011. The Rays, Orioles and Cardinals can’t be touched while the Yankees, Red Sox and Braves cannot buy a win. The Rays sent a message to the Yankees then and are doing it again now. Evan Longoria leads the league in hitting and will look to keep things going. Carlos Peña has returned to Tampa and is wreaking all kinds of havoc again. Meanwhile, the Red Sox score 0 and 11 in back-to-back games. That is day and night. It makes no difference for the Tigers. They will shut you out and then score 30 if need be.
6. Pirates will not finish last… The young and talented Pirates squad is determined to not finish last in the NL Central this year. In the final year of the six-team division, the Pirates might finally have a chance to finish near the top. I think they can do it. The Brewers, Cubs, Cardinals and Astros all lost pieces from a year ago. The Reds will continue to rise, but the Pirates will as well. In their opening series against the Phillies, they showed fight and will to win. With good coaching and that drive for success, I see the Pirates competing for potentially a third spot in the Central.
7. New Marlins… Not a whole lot needs to be said about the significance of 2012 for the Fighting Fish. They have a new stadium, coach, uniforms, logo, name and players. With a competitive NL East, the Marlins will have to fight more than ever for a division title. With an additional wildcard spot up for the taking, the Marlins may find that 162 games will not decide their playoff fate. For a franchise that has won two wildcards, two championships and no division titles, hopes of spectacular 2012 season are not out of the question. With Giancarlo “Mike” Stanton’s continuing to rise, Hanley’s production returning to form and solid season from their offseason acquisitions of Zambrano, Buehrle, Bell and Reyes, the Marlins could give the Phillies a run in the division race. Josh Johnson, Hanley Ramirez and Jose Reyes will need to stay healthy to do so.
With all of this being said, will the results be any different? Yes. This year, teams such as the Angels, Reds and Tigers will find their dominance. While the eastern divisions will still be the most competitive divisions in baseball, the outcomes might be similar.
I see the Angels walking out of the AL West and the Tigers taking over as the best team in baseball. The Phillies will drop off a bit due to injuries, the Reds will solidify themselves atop the weakened NL Central with the defending-champion Cardinals and the Rays stay hot in the AL East.
(04/11/12 7:11pm)
After such a hot start to the season, the Bears baseball team hit a few rough patches in the month of March. Coach Craig Gibson and the players hope April will come with a little more success. Entering the meat of their conference play and staring down a 1-5 start, the Bears looked to compete at a high level with contests against Stetson and FGCU. The Bears did just that as they went a combined 3-3 against the Florida foes.
Stetson 4, Mercer 7
After suffering a tough sweep at the hands of Lipscomb on the road, the Bears returned to Clyde Smith Field with their sights set on a series win. Facing off against the Stetson Hatters, the Bears took game one of the series behind a spectacular outing by junior Logan Gaines. Gaines went 2-for-2 with four RBI, including his eighth home run of the season.
Stetson 7, Mercer 6
The Bears tried to follow in their tracks from game one but fell just one run short of taking a commanding two-game series lead. Trailing 7-3 in the fifth, the Bears couldn’t mount a full comeback with one in the fifth and two in the seventh. Logan Gaines did all he could with another two home runs, three RBI and three hits. Gaines homered in back-to-back at-bats in the fifth and the seventh. Mercer outhit Stetson 12-7 in the losing effort. Stetson catcher Sam Kimmel’s three-run blast in the four-run fifth proved to be the difference.
Stetson 8, Mercer 1
In the rubber match of the three-game set, the Bears offense and defense came up flat in the 8-1 trumping at the hands of the Hatters. Spraying around hits and runs in the nine-inning affair, the Hatters had their way with the Bears pitching. With the exception of the number three hitter Ben Carhart, the Hatters’ one through eight hitter each contributed one hit. Carhart had three. Batters three through seven had at least one RBI. The Bears didn’t help themselves on defense as second baseman DJ Johnson had a game to forget. Johnson committed three errors and had only two putouts.
Savannah St. 1, Mercer 5
With their brief stint with Savannah State at home sandwiched between another three-game conference series, the Bears made every at-bat and pitch count in the winning effort. As clouds hovered over, sophomore Nick Backlund made sure the Bears would hit the scoreboard before the weather-shortened game was concluded. Backlund was 3-for-3 with a home run and four RBI in the game. His 10th dinger ties him for the team-lead with Logan Gaines. His RBI single in the first started the scoring and his three-run blast in the fifth ended it.
Mercer 4, FGCU 3
Traveling down to Florida for their conference meeting with FGCU, game one of the series was all about pitching. Senior Brandon Love was back to his true ace form with seven dazzling innings of one-run ball. Although each team tallied eight hits apiece, there was never more than one run scored in any inning. FGCU’s Ricky Knapp hurled 7.1 innings himself. He surrendered just five hits and two runs. Holding onto just a one-run lead in the eighth, the Bears used RBI hits in the eighth and ninth by Austin Barrett and Nick Backlund to hold off the Eagle attack.
Mercer 4, FGCU 2
Desperately needing to come up with a series win, the Bears used an array of hits from eight of the nine starters and another solid outing by Dimitri Kourtis to secure their 4-2 win. Evan Boyd and Derrick Workman each homered in the contest. On the mound, Kourtis went seven strong innings. He gave up just six hits and two runs. The three-game series win is the Bears’ first series victory since sweeping Presbyterian on Feb. 24-26.
Mercer 1, FGCU 4
Going for their first sweep of series in conference play, the Bears witnessed the difficulty of beating another team in three consecutive matches. Knotted 0-0 for the majority of the game, the Eagles crossed the plate first with a run in seventh. The Bears would answer right back with one in the eighth themselves. The Eagles would then put the game away with three runs on two hits and an error in the bottom half of the inning. Outhittiing the Eagles 6-4, FGCU had just two hits entering the bottom of the eighth in a 1-1 game.
The Bears now sit at 4-8 in conference play after going 3-3 against Stetson and FGCU. Mercer still looks forward to 15 more conference matchups to improve their position in the A-Sun standings.
(03/28/12 8:52pm)
With the grueling 162-game season and the agonizingly long MLB postseason, four lucky teams will play yet another game in pursuit of a championship title. Put into effect as of this upcoming 2012 season, one wildcard team will be added to each league with a one-game playoff pending their participation in the regular eight-team pool of contenders.
Up to this point, if a team garnered the second best record in league behind the division leaders, they immediately faced off against the team with the best record in the league in the first round best of five. This was the case with 2011’s eventual champion St. Louis Cardinals. Making the playoffs on the final day of the regular season, the Cardinals beat the powerhouse Philadelphia Phillies in five games of the NLDS to advance to the NLCS. Lined up against Milwaukee, the Cards disposed of the Brew Crew in short order and went on to beat the Rangers in seven games of the Fall Classic to win their second title in six years.
If this new rule was in place, the Cardinals would have had to face off against the struggling Braves in a one-game series to determine who would advance. Seeing that the Braves couldn’t beat a little league team with the disappearance of their hitting skills, all the cards would have probably have fallen in the same place.
This year, who will be the lucky two? With a sport that’s full of three-game, five-game and seven-game series throughout the year, how will the world react to the one-game win-or-go-home game? I love it. It is like guaranteeing two game sevens every year. 162 games are not enough to decide their fate.
At the same time, it is fair for all parties involved. The teams that won their division have the luxury of resting their best arms while those fighting for a playoff bid will use all that they have to fight another day. Even if they win, they will have used up their best arm in the rotation and be one step behind the opposition entering the division series. This is exciting stuff.
The reality is this: the two teams that enter that strange game will have national coverage for one game of excitement while playing in front of a sell-out crowd. Also, the two teams will most likely have very similar records and both are suited for the playoffs. I am tired of seeing 90-win teams get shafted for playing in such a strong division. This rule will prove its worth for teams such as the Rays, Yankees and Red Sox and the Rangers and Angels.
In the NL, teams from the Central and East will be licking their chops in hopes of grabbing that extra spot. With the Phillies winning every year, the new-look Marlins, hungry Braves and rising Nationals will fight for contention.
I would love to see three teams from the same division make the playoffs. If the Yankees, Rays and Red Sox each finish the year with 95 wins, they should all be allowed the opportunity. If the division-winning team out of the NL West only has 85 wins, a 93-win team from the Central should get the postseason nod as well.
With Pujols and Wilson being added to the Angels and the Rangers playing at a consistently high level, one of those teams will win the division and the other will be in the wild one-game series. Joining them will be one of the big three from the AL East. In the NL, the Marlins might not have enough to overcome the Phillies just yet, but they will face one the six teams in the Central.
I see the new wildcard slot benefitting all teams. It will give clubs more to fight for in the final games and leaves two of the most exciting games of the year to start the postseason.
(03/28/12 8:48pm)
After losing the back end of a doubleheader split on the road against Georgia State, Mercer softball found themselves still one game looking up at .500. The Bears returned home for a brief stint as they hit a stretch of seven games in six days.
Ga. Southern 2, Mercer 3
With a sixth-inning come-from-behind victory against their in-state rival Eagles, the Bears broke even at 12-12. Mercer trailed 2-0 entering the sixth frame before plating home three runs on two hits and a hit batter. Kristin Marko provided the game-tying two-run double while Sara Stukes knocked in the winning run with two outs on a single.
Ga. Southern 5, Mercer 2
The Bears would drop back below .500 with their sloppy play in game two of the home doubleheader. The game proved to be contradictory to game one as Mercer jumped out to an early 2-0 lead and watched the Eagles claw their way back to steal the victory. Georgia Southern plated home five runs through the fourth, fifth and sixth innings to solidify the win. Once again, the Bears only mustered three hits.
Mercer 8, St. Bonaventure 0
After their very brief stint at home, the Bears hit the road for the TSU Tiger Tournament in Nashville, Tenn. The 10 hits and eight runs in the win against the Bona Wolves would prove to be the start of an impressive stretch for the Bears. In the run-ruled game, senior Kassie Bailey surrendered all two hits in her four innings from the circle to even her record at 4-4 on the year. Five different Mercer batters knocked in at least one run for the Bears. The win pulled the Bears to 13-13 and slotted them at .500 for the fifth time this year.
Mercer 8, Miss. Valley 0
The Bears’ 8-0 win over Mississippi Valley marked a long list of firsts for Mercer this season. The Bears got over the .500 hump for the first time in their 27th game of the year. Mercer used another nine hits and stellar pitching performance from Jessica Holsinger in the five-inning route. Holsinger allowed just one hit and struck out eight in five innings of work. Sophomore McKenzie Woody went 3-for-3 with three runs batted in and two runs scored. Woody’s game also included her first career dinger on an inside-the-park three-run homerun in the second. The game also marked the Bears’ first back-to-back shutout victories of the season.
Mercer 6, Tennessee St. 5
In a game that had a combined 11 errors, 18 hits and 11 runs, the Bears survived a wild seven innings to beat Tennessee State in the second game of the afternoon doubleheader. The win capped their three-game sweep of the tournament in impressive fashion. With a 5-3 lead entering the final frame, the Bears surrendered two runs and went into the bottom of the inning tied 5-5. Fittingly so, with a runner on third and one out, the Bears would plate home the game-ending run off of TSU’s seventh error of the game.
Alabama St. 2, Mercer 3
In a game that included little offensive production from both squads, the Bears were able to squeak out a one-run, extra-inning win in their first game back home against the visiting Lady Hornets of Alabama State. Tied 0-0 after four, the Lady Hornets and Bears each plated home two runs in the fifth inning of the extra-inning affair. Each pitcher went the distance as the Bears would score on an error in the eighth to tally another victory in the win column. Holsinger was wild but effective in her eighth win of the season as she pitched eight innings while walking five and striking out seven. She threw 128 pitches.
Alabama St. 2, Mercer 6
Following their exciting win in game one, the Bears looked to complete their first doubleheader sweep of the season while extending their win-streak to a season-high five games. Mercer did just that in their four-run win over the Lady Hornets. The Bears had a handle on the game from the onset. With a 5-0 lead after three, Mercer pitcher Kassie Bailey cruised to her fifth win of the season. Providing production from both the circle and the batter’s box, Bailey allowed just two hits and two runs while driving in three runs of her own.
Mercer 4, FAMU 3
The Bears give the impression that they won’t lose another game. Even when it seems like they are down and out, they come from behind with production from their starters, bullpen and even bench players. Trailing 2-1 in the seventh with their five-game win streak on the line, pinch-hitting senior Lilli Luke stepped into the plate and promptly belted a three-run homerun en route to an eventual 4-3 nail-biter win.
Mercer 10, FAMU 1
Using the momentum of their first game of the Saturday doubleheader, the Bears compiled 11 hits in an error-free ballgame to run-rule the home team Rattlers of Florida A&M. With a balanced offensive attack, Mercer used hits from eight different players to score 10 runs through the first four innings. Sarah Santana went 2-for-4 with four runs batted in. Santana’s two-run shot in the first marked her team-leading sixth homerun and 23rd RBI of the season.
With the recent doubleheader sweep of Florida A&M, the Bears have stretched their win streak to seven on the years. The Bears are outscoring their opponents 45-13 over that stretch. After beginning the year at 0-6, Mercer has gone 19-7 since Feb. 18. They are an impressive 15-5 away from Sikes Field over that same time.
“As a team, we wanted to be playing well going into conference. I think our focus and poise has improved greatly over the last few weeks. We want to win each pitch, win every inning, and we know what kind of focus that takes,” said first year head coach James DeFeo.
The Bears begin conference play with a Friday doubleheader against S.C. Upstate on March 30. That kicks off a stretch of 18 conference contests in 20 games to finish off the season.
(03/28/12 7:59pm)
After a historic 10-1 start to the 2012 season, the Mercer baseball team has begun to show signs of inconsistency in all aspects of the game. Fresh off their drubbing of Georgia State, the Bears would lose two of three against the disappointing KSU Owls, easily handle the Rattlers of Florida A&M and then got trampled by the Lipscomb on the road.
Georgia St. 0, Mercer 11
Coming off their three-game series loss against Mississippi State, the Bears traveled home for a six-game home stint beginning with a brief one-game versus their in-state rivals from Georgia State. The Mercer offense came to life with 11 hits and runs in their shutout win over the Panthers. Beginning with Dimitri Kourtis’ masterful five innings, the Bears used a line of five relievers to piece together the impressive blowout. Shortstop Evan Boyd went 3-for-4 with three runs batted in the contest.
Kennesaw St. 9, Mercer 4
In their first action of conference play, the Bears struggled to find any offensive rhythm as they mustered just four hits and four runs in the 9-4 loss at the hands of the Owls of Kennesaw State. Ace pitcher Brandon Love was rattled for six runs off of nine hits in the game. Six different Owl players tallied at least one RBI.
Kennesaw St. 8, Mercer 0
The offensive woes for the Bears continued as they put together only two hits in their worst loss of the season. Defensively, Mercer seemed to kick the ball around as they recorded four errors on the field. KSU pitcher Steve Janas shut down the Bears with seven stunning innings of one-hit ball. Evan Boyd’s one out double in the fifth was Mercer’s first hit of the game. The Owls outhit the Bears 16-2 on the night while Mercer stranded all four of its base runners of the game.
Kennesaw St. 1, Mercer 2
After a tough start to conference play, the Bears picked up their first victory in the three-game set while avoiding a sweep at the hands of KSU. With offense coming at a premium in recent games for the Bears, Mercer compiled seven hits and only two runs in the contest. Led by David Randall’s stellar outing, the Bears held the Owls to just six hits and one run to win the nail-biter game three. Entering the ninth with a 2-0 lead, the game would end with the tying run at first base.
FAMU 2, Mercer 13
After a tough series against the Owls, the Bears flipped the script on the visiting Florida A&M. Outhitting FAMU 16-5, Mercer cruised to a 13-2 victory. Powered by Chesny Young’s base-clearing double, Logan Gaines’ team-leading seventh homerun and a 4-for-5 night from Nate Moorhouse, the Bears garnered a much-needed win after having dropped six of their last 10 games.
FAMU 5, Mercer 13
Game two proved to be much of the same as the Bears scored early and often on the FAMU pitching. Derrick Workman and Nate Moorhouse each drove in three runs while nine Mercer batters recorded a hit in the eight-run drubbing. With two runs in the first and four in the third, the Bears jumped out to a 6-1 early lead and never looked back.
Mercer 2, Lipscomb 7
Coming off a strong finish at home, the Bears hit a wall when they arrived in Nashville to resume to conference play against Lipscomb. With first inning homeruns from leadoff hitter Evan Boyd and Nick Backlund, the Bears were off to a promising start. Mercer would go on to compile only five hits and leave nine runners stranded in the remainder of the contest. The Bison used hits from eight different batters in their balanced attack en route to the 7-2 victory.
Mercer 3, Lipscomb 11
Game two didn’t get any better for the Bears as three errors and late bullpen pitching would haunt them in the eight-run defeat. Trailing 2-1 after six, the Bison would put up nine runs with a pair of long balls between the seventh and eighth to trample the Mercer attack.
Mercer 4, Lipscomb 7
Looking to snap their two-game skid and avoid a sweep at the hands of Lipscomb, the Bears jumped out to an early 4-0 lead after one inning of play. The Bison would claw their way back into the game with three in the second and one in the fifth. Knotted up 4-4 until the eighth, Lipscomb’s three-run eighth would prove the difference as the Bison would become the first team to sweep the Bears this season.
The loss brings Mercer to its longest losing streak of the season at three. The Bears also lose their fourth consecutive three-game series.
After dropping two of three against KSU and all three games versus Lipscomb, the Bears now sit at 1-5 in early conference play. With the recent stretch of six losses in 10 games, the Bears record sits at 16-10 on the year.
Mercer resumes conference play at home when No. 15 Stetson visits Claude Smith Field for a three-game set beginning Friday, March 30.
(03/14/12 8:59pm)
After winning five of six games to round out the month of February, softball played .500 ball with a 4-4 record in their following eight games. Mercer began the month with four games at the University of Georgia tournament. Their contest scheduled against Cleveland State was cancelled due to rain.
Mercer 1, Minnesota 3
The Bears found themselves in a pitcher’s duel against the then 10-3 Minnesota Golden Gophers. Freshman Jessica Holsinger has solid outing but was on the short end of the score due to limited offense. Down 2-0 for the majority of the game, the Bears had their best chance to do damage in the sixth before lining into a double play with the bases loaded.
Mercer 9, Ohio 6
With their winning streak coming to an end against the Golden Gophers in the UGA Tournament opener, the Bears were looking to get back on track against the 6-6 Ohio squad. Up 1-0 and again 2-1 late in the game, DeFeo’s bunch couldn’t deliver the knockout blow as the Bobcats scored four runs in the bottom half of the sixth to take a 5-2 lead. The Bears wouldn’t go quietly as they plated home seven runs in the top half of the inning to steal back the victory.
Mercer 14, Rutgers 6
The Bears used a similar formula in Saturday’s match with Rutgers as they trailed 6-1 entering the bottom of the fourth. Mercer would fittingly string together a series of hits to bring home nine runners. Eight different players batted in a run for the Bears in the contest. With the win, the Bears are an even 9-9 and at .500 for the first time this year. McKenzie Woody recorded her conference-leading 30th hit in the game.
Mercer 0, #7 Georgia 2
Facing against No. 7 Georgia, the Bears pitched one of their most impressive games of the season. Unfortunately for the Bears, the 18-2 Bulldogs piled up nine strikeouts and only surrendered three hits. The host UGA squad put together only four hits and two runs in the match. Kerri Nidiffer allowed both runs and all four hits in her dominant 5.2 innings from the circle.
Presbyterian 0, Mercer 12
In their long-awaited home opener, the Bears cruised to a 12-0 drubbing against the visiting Presbyterian squad. Mercer posted six runs in both the first and fourth innings to end the game after five innings. Krista Kennedy had three RBIs in the game. Jessica Holsinger continued her dominance allowing just one hit in the five-inning shutout win.
Presbyterian 9, Mercer 0
The Blue Hose flipped the script on the Bears with a shutout of their own in the second game of the doubleheader. With 11 hits and the help of four Mercer errors on the field, the South Carolina team piled on a total of nine runs in the third, fourth and fifth innings to end the game after five. Pitcher Leslie Hensley gave up just two hits in her five-inning shutout.
Mercer 3, Georgia State 2
After trailing 2-0 entering the second inning, pitcher Jessica Holsinger and the Bears settled into a grove with single runs in the second, third and fifth to sneak away with the one-run win. Holsinger recorded her sixth complete game of the season (6-1) against the 18-6 in-state rival.
Mercer 1, Georgia State 2
In a game that saw sophomore McKenzie Woody extend her hitting streak to 12, the Bears defense failed to support their pitching staff with four errors. With the score tied 1-1 in the seventh, the sloppy game would fittingly end with a Georgia State runner advancing to the plate on a wild pitch.
After their recent stretch of 4-4 to begin the month of March, the Mercer softball squad find themselves perched a game below .500 at 11-12. The team will play 10 more games before beginning conference play against S.C. Upstate on March 30.
(03/14/12 8:53pm)
After a sluggish 2-7 start to the season, the Mercer softball squad has turned things around as they won five of six games to round out the month of February. Those five wins included a four-game sweep at the Samford Softball Scramble in Alabama.
Mercer 6, Samford 2
The Bears began the Scramble playing against the host Bulldogs of Samford. Mercer took a 2-0 lead in the third inning and never looked back as they led by as many as six. Seniors Sara Stukes and Kristin Marko each homered in the contest to supply offense behind the complete-game outing of Kassie Bailey.
Mercer 2, Eastern Ill. 0
Game two of the day proved to be much of the same as Mercer’s Jessica Holsinger surrendered just three hits from the circle en route to her complete-game shutout gem. Sara Stukes’ sac fly and Sarah Santana’s solo home run plated the only runs needed to support Holsinger’s stellar outing.
Mercer 9, Eastern Ill. 6
Day two of the Scramble proved to be a challenge for the Bears as they were forced to play extra innings. Game one was knotted 5-5 after regulation before the Bears would plate home four in the eighth to solidify their victory. Mercer would use four home runs from Phillips, Bailey, Santana and Kennedy to provide their offense in a game where their pitching surrendered 10 hits. Down 5-2 entering the sixth frame, the Bears rallied back to take the game to extras. Phillips’ three-run home run in the top of the eighth proved to be the decisive blow in the Bears’ third-straight win. Pitcher Kerri Nidiffer had potentially her best outing of the season as she threw four innings and allowed just one unearned run in her first win of the year.
Mercer 7, Samford 4
In game two of the final day doubleheader, Jessica Holsinger continued her dominance of 2012 with an eight-inning complete-game performance. She tallied her third victory as she led the Bears to their fourth consecutive win. Tied 3-3 from the end of the third frame, neither team was able to cross the plate as the Bears would play their second extra-inning game of the day. Freshman Molly Garmany did her best impersonation of Tiffany Phillips as she duplicated the eight-inning three-run shot from game one to solidify the win. It was her first home run of her young collegiate career.
Mercer 2, Savannah State 3
Coming off a tournament sweep at the Samford Scramble, the Bears lost a nail-biter against Savannah State on the road in game one of the doubleheader. With the game tied 2-2 in the fifth, the Eagles capitalized on the Bears’ error on the field and scored an unearned run with two outs to take the lead for good. Pitcher Kerri Nidiffer suffered a tough loss from the circle as she pitched all six innings giving up just the one unearned run.
Mercer 9, Savannah State 3
Freshman sensation Jessica Holsinger improved her record to 4-1 on the year with another solid outing. Holsinger threw six and two-thirds innings while allowing just one run. Sarah Santana continued her hot streak at the plate as she went 2-for-3 with three RBIs and home run to support Holsinger’s efforts. Mercer’s six-run sixth inning proved to be the critical inning in the 9-3 win.
(03/14/12 8:43pm)
In a season that had Chris Paul teaming up with Blake Griffin in L.A., Dwight Howard, Deron Williams and Rajon Rondo on the cusp of being traded, Ricky Rubio finally coming to the NBA and LINsanity, this shortened NBA season has still been a complete disappointment.
Right when things look to heat up, it becomes a total bust. For instance, when it looks like the L.A. Clippers from ‘Lob City’ are going to go on a win streak, they let the world down with two or three losses. Right when Jeremy Lin seemed to be the savior of the New York Knicks and analysts had them stapled in as the number three seed in the East, Carmelo comes back and ruins everything. Right when it looks like Dwight is finally going to be traded and keep him from running his mouth, he stays put and the NBA has to listen to him moan once again about wanting to play in a big market.
With the postponed start date to the season being pushed to Christmas, everyone knew this 66-game year would be different from any other. My argument is that there seems to be little excitement revolving the usual suspects. A year ago, the Miami Heat were the most hated team in the league, everyone was watching how Melo and Amare would mesh and the duo of John Wall and Blake Griffin made their own personal highlight reels night in and night out.
This year, Jeremy Lin and Ricky Rubio have been the most exciting headlines. With that said, the Lin fanatics have fallen off the earth with their recent six-game losing skid and Rubio is out for the season. The Heat are no longer the talk of the league, the usual teams sit atop their respective conferences and there haven’t been a flurry of rookie talent. Where do the headlines come from now?
What began with talks about the Hawks, Pacers, Sixers and Wolves shocking the world has dwindled down due to the reality check of late. The only shockers seem to be the Clippers and Wolves. So far, the Timberwolves are a .500 team and in playoff contention and the Clippers sit at number five. My problem is this: that is old news. Everyone knew the Clippers would be better with CP3 and the Timberwolves were already on the rise. With Rubio out and the diminishing Western Conference, would it really be all that surprising if the Wolves missed the cut and the Clippers grabbed a fifth spot? No.
I’m not saying the NBA season has been a complete loss because it has been entertaining to see teams take on their back-to-back-to-back games and the Top 10 plays of CP3/Blake, Wade/LeBron and Westbrook/Durant. The single-game performances of Rondo’s triple double, Deron Williams’ 57 and Durant/Westbrook putting up over 90 have been thrilling. I just hope the stars can ride this season all the way through.
As a fan, I worry the overworking minutes in the minimized schedule will result in less production and less and excitement over time. We watch to answer the following questions: Can Kobe keep doing what he’s doing? Will Deron or Dwight get traded? Can the Thunder win the number one seed? It is pretty sad when the most talked about incident of the year might have been Kobe’s potential broken nose in the All-Star Game. The dunk contest was a no-show and no one watches the Celebrity Game and other events.
Not to the fault of the NBA, but there needs to be more shockers. More nobodies need to become somebodies and someone needs to step up and beat the Bulls, Thunder and Heat. Fans watch the games where “Anything is possible.” It hasn’t been the case so far. The shortened season has provided predictability and the shockless outcomes. It’s hard to tell if 2012 sucks or if 2011 was that good. It is going to take a lot of ‘shockers’ to get fans to turn their TV sets from March Madness to March Lameness of the NBA. Let baseball start already.
(03/14/12 8:38pm)
Off to a fast start, the Mercer baseball team stretched their winning streak to nine games and tied their best start since 1970 (10-1).
Running into redhot squads of High Point and Mississippi State, the Bears would proceed to lose four of their next six in their tough test of eight road games.
Through 17 games in 2012, the powerhitting Bears lead the nation in hits (204) and homeruns (26).
Mercer 12, Ga. Southern 4
With seven-game winning streak on the line, the Bears were off to a fast start in their one-game series against Georgia Southern with three runs in the top of the first. Adding two more in the third and three more in the fifth, the run support was more than enough to support the dominant performance by Dimitri Kourtis. Nick Backlund, Logan Gaines and Travis Benn all homered and drove in three for the Bears.
Mercer 5, High Point 2
The Bears extended their streak to nine games and tied their best start since 1970 with a 10-1 record. Behind the eight-inning gem of pitcher Brandon Love, the Bears once again tallied double-digit hits to tally another mark in the win column. Logan Gaines and Nick Backlund each garnered their fifth homerun of the year. This is already the fourth time the two have homered in the same game this season.
Mercer 3, High Point 4 F/11
The baseball team’s nine-game win streak came to an end in the extra-inning loss on the road against High Point. In the 11th inning, the High Point runner on first advanced to second on a defensive error and eventually scored the game-winner on the next batter. Mercer’s Brandon Barker pitched eight masterful innings before handing the ball over to the bullpen. The loss was Mercer’s first defeat since the second game of the season on Feb. 17. Both losses have been by one run.
Mercer 1, High Point 3
The Mercer team couldn’t find a groove on offense as they were held to a season-low six hits and one run in the 3-1 loss of the rubbermatch game three against High Point. The Bears were down 3-0 before sophomore Derrick Workman belted his third homerun of the year. In the pitcher’s duel, Mercer’s David Randall tossed six innings while surrendering only two earned runs.
Mercer 8, Savannah St. 5
After losing back-to-back games for the first time all year, the 10-3 Bears found their rhythm at the plate as they tallied another 11 hits and eight runs in the 8-5 win over Savannah State. Down 3-1, Mercer would plate home six runs in the fifth to take a commanding lead. The Bears used their arsenal of seven pitchers to piece together the three-run victory.
Mercer 3, #23 Miss. St. 5
Facing their toughest opponent of the season in a three-game series, the Bears fell just short in the 5-3 loss on the road against the 23rd-ranked Mississippi State. The Bears couldn’t capitalize on their opportunities as they allowed six stolen bases and stranded a season-high 10 runners against the SEC powerhouse.
Mercer 6, #23 Miss. St. 1
The Bears came out with a lot of energy and found a way to win possibly their most impressive game of the season. Mercer followed a stifling pitching performance by Brandon Barker in the 6-1 win. Barker threw eight innings, walked one and gave up just one run. The Bears strung together 14 hits and six runs en route to their 12th win of the season. The dynamic duo of Nick Backlund and Logan Gaines each homered in the same game for the fifth time this season.
Mercer 1, #23 Miss. St. 3
After winning their first three series of the season, the Bears dropped their second straight with the 3-1 loss against Mississippi State. In the rubbermatch of the three-game set, the Bears only managed three hits and one run against the dominant pitching performance of MSU’s Kendall Graveman. Graveman struck out eight and allowed only three hits in 8.1 innings pitched. With three hits, one walk and one MSU error, only five Mercer players reached base in the game.
After the tough road tests, the Bears return home for six games. Mercer plays their first conference game against the visiting Kennesaw State Owls on Friday, March 16.
(02/22/12 9:39pm)
New head coach James DeFeo and the Bears softball team officially hit the diamond for their first action of the 2012 season. Being tested on the road, the Mercer team visited KSU for the Kennesaw State Classic Tournament Tallahassee with the Florida State Tournament. Austin Peay 11, Mercer 9 As Head Coach James DeFeo and his Bears squad took the diamond for the first time this season to start their strenuous stretch of road games, their opener against Austin Peay was a tough game to swallow. Leading by as many as seven, the Bears surrendered six runs with two outs in the final inning to give the Governors new life. The game would go into extras as the Austin Peay offense would stay hot with four runs in the eighth. Standout performers: T. Phillips (MU) 4-8, Solo HR, 2 RBIs… L. DeCastro (APSU) Grand Slam, 4 RBIsMercer 1, Kennesaw St. 6The Bears offense was silenced in game two by the dominating 10-strikeout performance by KSU’s Amanda Henderson. With Mercer up 1-0 against the host Owls, KSU used just six hits to plate home six runs in three innings to capture the game. Standout performers: A. Henderson (KSU) 4.1 IP, 2 H, 10 K’s… J. Saunders (KSU) 1-1, 2-run pinch-hit HRMercer 4, Miami (OH) 11Kicking off the game with three runs in the first, the Bears were nearly shut out of the remainder of the game with only one run in six innings. Down 4-2 in the fourth, the RedHawks plated nine runs in the final three innings for the come-from-behind victory. Standout performers: T. Phillips (MU) 2-4, 3-run HR, 3 RBIs… R. Edwards (MIA-OH) 2-3, 3 RBIs Mercer 4, Southern Ill. 10Once again, the Bears jumped out to an early 2-0 lead before the Cougars answered with five of their own. Mercer was able to knock out Southern Illinois pitcher Alyssa Wunderlich in the first without surrendering an out. However, the Cougar bullpen would settle into a groove as DeFeo’s bunch was only able to garner one walk and two runs after the first frame. Standout performers: H. Gorman (SIU) 4-4, 2 runs… M. Wilson (SIU) 2-2, 4 RBIs, 2 doublesMercer 3, Coastal Caro. 9Errors proved costly for the Bears as pitcher Kassie Bailey allowed eight runs with only three of them earned. The Coastal Carolina squad plated five runs in the second inning and never looked back. CCU centerfielder Brooke Donovan had a remarkable game going 3-for-3 with a grand slam, five RBIs and three runs scored. Standout performers: B. Donovan (CCU) 3-3, Grand Slam, 3B, 5 RBIs, 3 runs… T. Phillips (MU) 2-4, 2 RBIsMercer 2, NDSU 7The Bears losing streak to start the season reached six with a five-run loss to North Dakota State. DeFeo’s squad could only muster two runs on two hits in the contest. NDSU freshman Krista Menke threw a complete game allowing just the two runs. Standout performers: K. Menke (NDSU) 7 IP, 2 H, 2 R… B. Konz (NDSU), 1-3, 2B, 2 RBIsMercer 12, Western Caro. 4The Bears finally picked their first win of the season in outstanding fashion. The Mercer bunch was off to another fast start with four runs in the first inning. The Catamounts of Western Carolina would bring it within one with three runs of their own. Mercer wouldn’t allow the ga
me to slip away. In fact, the Bears had their largest inning of the season in the sixth where they brought home seven runs. The win marks Head Coach James DeFeo’s first victory at Mercer. “For the first time this year, we were able to put all three phases of our game together: consistent hitting, pitching, and defense,” said the first hear head coach.Standout performers: S. Santana (MU) 2-3, 3-run HR, 2B, BB, 4 RBIs… J. Holsinger (MU) 4 IP, 0 RMercer 13, Western Caro. 2The Bears would continue their success against the Catamounts. The Bears jumped out of the gates with three runs in the first, five in the second and four in the third.Senior pitcher Kassie Bailey gave a solid effort as she went all five innings of the shortened contest. Bailey performed well at the plate as well with two doubles and two RBIs to support herself. Standout performers: S. Stukes (MU) 1-2, Solo HR, 2 RBIs, 3 R… K. Bailey (MU) 5 IP, 5 H, 1 ERMercer 0, Florida St. 3After back-to-back offensive explosions, the Bears ran into the stifling pitching of the host Florida State Seminoles. Mercer freshman Jessica Holsinger followed her brilliant relief appearance against the Catamounts with an impressive six-inning performance against the Noles. She kept the Bears in the game and the 9-0 Noles in the park. Unfortunately, the Bears offense could not piece together any runs as FSU’s Lacey Waldrop tossed a complete-game shutout in the pitcher’s duel. Standout performers: J. Holsinger (MU) 6 IP, 7 H, 2 ER… L. Waldrop (FSU) 7 IP, 5 H, 0 BB, 0 RAfter the first two road tournaments of the season for the Bears softball squad, new head coach James DeFeo and his girls find themselves 2-7 overall with both wins coming against Western Carolina. “During our first weekend out, there were many highs and lows in regards to our play. We scored first in every game, hit the ball very well, and played good defense,” said first year head coach James DeFeo. “On the pitching side of the ball, we struggled to hold the leads we gained every game,” he added.With a wide array of young pitchers on the Bears staff, it is a matter of time that these girls settle into their roles and become accustomed to pitching at the collegiate level. As longs as runs are being plated, the pitching will improve and wins will come. “We still have a lot of work to do, but as we boarded the bus on our way back to Macon, we knew as a team that we got better,” said DeFeo.With all nine games coming on the road, the Bears better learn to like the trips as they still face 11 consecutive away matches leading into March.
(02/22/12 9:33pm)
Mercer Intramurals and Quadworks are partnering up this year for basketball’s Championship Night on Monday, Feb. 27. The Intramural staff hopes it will be their largest turnout ever. “These are obviously the best basketball teams in their respective divisions so we’re looking forward to giving them a great atmosphere to play in,” said Assistant Director of Intramurals Todd Thomas. Quadworks will be providing free pizza, donuts and prizes for participants and spectators alike. Inflatable games and raffles will be held throughout the night as well. Many businesses from around Macon have donated gift cards and other items to support the event. During the halftime of each game, these items will be given out to the winner of various contests. Gift cards include: Barnes and Noble, Margarita’s, Olive Garden, El Som, Moe’s, Walmart, Bass Pro Shops, La Berry, Chick-fil-A, Texas Roadhouse, Amstar Movie Theatre, Applebee’s, Locos and more.“It’s always been our premiere night of the year, but this year with Quadworks’ help it’s going to be bigger than it’s ever been,” added Thomas. Similar to the activities held on Tournament Night for Dodgeball in the fall, the basketball Championship Night is taking it a step further. Teams that make it to the finals of their respective leagues will have introduction videos with their names, pictures and personalized music televised on a projected screen. Todd would go on to say that this should be an exciting time for Mercer fans due to the A-Sun Tournament being held in the UC later on the week. Come on out for some free food, chances to win prizes and championship basketball in the University Center Intramural basketball courts. All of the courts will be in use. The festivities will start at 6 p.m. Games will be played every hour and fifteen minutes.
(02/22/12 9:27pm)
As part of the kickoff to the baseball team’s season, Mercer University was proud to welcome Atlanta Braves third baseman and future Hall of Famer Chipper Jones as this year’s First Pitch Classic speaker.
Coming on to the Macon campus for a short visit, Chipper was glad to sign autographs for the line of adoring Middle Georgia fans before sitting down for a dinner with a UC Arena filled with Mercer sponsors, fans and players alike.
Following former Brave John Smoltz from a year ago, Chipper was invited to the podium to talk Atlanta Braves, life choices and Mercer Baseball.
Chipper began by giving his own personal life story of a kid who grew up in Florida and worked his way into the baseball system as a youngster, high schooler and eventual first-round MLB Draft pick. The 17-year veteran spoke of the difficulties and obstacles that come along with pursuing such a career and the ups and downs, travelling with the team, winning and of course losing.
He covered an array of topics that stretch out from his idol Mickey Mantle as a kid and his more recent admiration of the great Terry Pendleton. He hit a large number of sensitive topics such as his future with the team, his age and recent injuries that have affected his career. As far as his career is concerned, Chipper clearly stated that he wished to stay an Atlanta Brave for the remainder of his career. And when asked how long that “career” would last, Chipper gave the generic “As long as I am productive” answer to the crowd of attentive listeners. The 39-year-old compared his desire to stay with the Braves and be a productive part of the team to the legendary Cal Ripken, Jr. Ripken sacrificed his body and his career to make sure he stayed in an Oriole uniform. Chipper wishes to do the same. “I want to be a contributor to my team,” said Chipper. “I would never want to go over to the AL or to another team for that matter. I want my stats to be on one team for my entire career. I don’t want them split amongst four or five different clubs,” he added.
After giving a few more stories of pitchers he dislikes facing such as Kevin Brown, Kerry Wood, Mariano Rivera and Randy Johnson, Chipper spoke fondly of his inaugural 1995 season memories. He helped the Braves garner a World Series title in his first complete season in the big leagues. He claims it still remains the best moment of his career and hopes to one day sign off his MLB career in a similar fashion. “Wouldn’t that be something? I can finish my career the same way I began it – with a World Series Championship,” said Chipper.
When speaking of his own personal goals as a player, Chipper highlighted the night with a memorable quote: “Guys who want to win do not have a personal goal mentality. If your team is good in the end and you helped them get there, your numbers will be there as well.”
All-in-all, Chipper’s speech was brief and echoed his love for the game and his hate for the city of New York. He repeated his want to be a good example for young children and the importance of education and exercise. He also spoke of his two marriages and four young children.
When Chipper was done with what he had to say, he opened the floor to questions from those in attendance. Taking questions from mostly children, Chipper answered briefly and to the point the questions of those who possibly look up to him most. The reoccurring theme seemed to be the potential end of Chipper’s career and the recent transition between managers Bobby Cox and Fredi Gonzalez. Chipper made his point clear: “Fredi Gonzalez is not Bobby Cox. He will never be. He made our transition very easy though.”
When the night was all said and done, Chipper Jones didn’t speak much of the Mercer Bears baseball team. He didn’t lie to the crowd and say he has followed closely over the years. He gave a simple speech and answered questions from those who paid to do so. Chipper gave few words of wisdom and gave everyone what they really wanted to hear. He spoke of his experiences in the big leagues and no matter how you think of it that is pretty cool nonetheless.
In his final words at the podium, Chipper casually signed off by stating: Go Braves!
(02/22/12 9:14pm)
If the world is looking for a place where their children can look up to their role models and aspire to walk in the same shoes as their mentors, Major League Baseball is probably not the best place to do so right now.
Right when fans buy a shirt or jersey of the player they love due to their on and off the field contributions to their community, the players turn around and slap them in the face metaphorically speaking.
First, Manny was “being Manny” when he got suspended on two occasions for taking steroids. He jumped from the beloved Red Sox to team after team as his production dwindled down. As allegations continued to rise, Manny retired from the game.
Next, Ryan Braun gets hit with the same 50-game suspension for failing a drug test. Coming off his miraculous MVP season that saw him hit .332, 33 homeruns and drive in 111 runs, Braun tested positive for the use of “medication” that gave him much higher levels of testosterone. The 28-year-old is appealing the suspension.
Now, another former MVP Josh Hamilton has relapsed on his drinking ways. This one really stings. Having been the face of baseball in recent years and the ideal “back-from-the-dead” story in the world of sports, Hamilton has disappointed sports viewers around the globe.
The former Rays number one overall draft pick missed the entire 2003, 2004 and 2005 seasons due to his addiction to drugs and alcohol. Since his return, he has become one of the best players in baseball on a team that has won the last two American League pennants. This includes his ALL MVP in 2010 and his record-setting performance in the 2008 Home Run Derby.
This is Hamilton’s second known alcohol-related relapse in three years. Both incidents came during the offseason, and this one has put a hold on talks with the Rangers about a contract extension.
In January 2009, the North Carolina native drank heavily while in a bar in Tempe, Ariz. He would later apologize for the incident when several photos leaked to the public. According to Hamilton, he had been sober since October 2005.
In the most recent occurrence, the slugger claims to have had three or four drinks with dinner and then continued drinking later that night. After dinner, Hamilton contacted fellow teammate Ian Kinsler to come hang out with him. Kinsler joined him, but was apparently unaware that Hamilton had been drinking at all.
The 30-year-old Hamilton said his latest actions “hurt a lot of people very close to me.” He didn’t take questions on the matter. On Twitter, Hamilton’s wife, Katie, wrote: “Truly appreciate all the encouraging & supportive tweets we’ve been getting. God is Faithful and forgives- so thankful that you all are ... Showing us such love and encouragement during this time.”
Hamilton claims he didn’t even think of using drugs that night. He said he had been tested for drugs “twice since Monday” as part of his normal mandated routine. The routine in which the slugger refers to are the three mandatory drug tests he takes per week since being reinstated into the league.
Normally, Hamilton has an accountability partner to support him when times get tough, but the position is now vacant due to the recent relocation of former assistant hitting coach Johnny Narron. Narron recently took a job with the Brewers in Milwaukee.
The Rangers had announced last month that Hamilton’s father-in-law had been hired as a staff special assistant to be the accountability partner, but Michael Dean Chadwick has since decided against accepting the position due to “family considerations.”
Hamilton and general manager Jon Daniels said the outfielder will meet soon with Major League Baseball doctors and counselors in New York for an evaluation in his continued recovery.
As far as the centerfielder and his family are concerned, this should be the last of these incidents. Hamilton has a wife and four daughters. His youngest daughter was born last summer.
“For everybody who I have hurt, for everybody – fans, kids, people who have addictions and look up to me – I apologize to you,” he said. “When you’re doing this, you don’t mean to hurt anybody. You only think you’re hurting yourself, but as I know, you’re hurting a lot of people.”
I cannot take a break from my recovery. My recovery is Christ. My recovery is an everyday process. When I take that one day off, it leaves me open for a moment of weakness and it’s always been that way,” Hamilton added.
My question is this: what happens from here? As a baseball fan, this breaks my heart. Hamilton has been the epitome of strength and leadership in the game of baseball for a few seasons now. Who do we look up to now?
More importantly, what are going to be the consequences? I never want to see professional athletes being punished or suspended but this is a must-act situation. This cannot go unnoticed.
My fear is that this will be swept under the rug and will later be followed by similar acts of misconduct by Hamilton or others alike. Fines and slaps on the wrist mean nothing to these professional athletes. For guys that are being paid 10-plus million dollars per season, a $50,000 dollar fine is pocket change. He should be suspended. It will be bad for the game but good in the long run. What message would baseball send by not doing anything to the man? Take away some valuable playing time in a season where he is looking to receive a contract extension and he will understand the severity of the matter.
In my mind, the Texas organization needs to hire someone as soon as possible to fill the void of “Accountability partner.” He should never be allowed to go to dinner unsupervised and have the ability to order a drink. He is a grown man, but that choice was taken from him back in 2003 when he served his first year of suspension. There is a reason he is drug tested three times a week. For a team that celebrates with Ginger Ale rather than champagne in the postseason, they better make sure there is a reason they are making such a dedicated sacrifice. If Hamilton stays away from drugs and bars, he is the ideal role model for children and adult fans alike. Baseball needs to keep it that way.
(02/22/12 9:12pm)
After a 2011 campaign that saw the Bears finish 39-20 and lose a variety of stars from their starting nine, Head Coach Craig Gibson and the Bears look to an array of young talent to step forward in 2012.
After the recent visit from Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones and with a four-game set at home to start the season against Kentucky’s Morehead State University, the Bears hit the field for the first time this spring with a doubleheader at Claude Smith Field.
Morehead St. 6, Mercer 22
In the first game of the season, Mercer showed off their new scoreboard and talented pool of offense in their 16-run blowout of Morehead State. The game started slow as it entered the bottom of the third inning tied 0-0.
The Bears would break through first as they scored two runs off of a Derrick Workman single and an Evan Boyd sac fly in the bottom of the third.
Mercer would lead the game until the top of the fifth when the Beakers put a five spot in the board and took a 6-3 lead. It would not last long as Craig Gibson’s team would respond with six in the bottom half of the inning and an astounding 11 runs in the sixth to put the game out of reach. The Bears homered three times in the sixth inning outburst. Two of the three came off the bat of sophomore Nick Backlund.
In their first game of the season, the Bears did everything from play an error-free game, hit a grand slam, surpass 20 hits and surpass 20 runs.
Standout performers:
N. Backlund (MU) 2-4, Grand Slam, 6 RBIs, 3 R, BB…
D. Brown (MU) 3.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R
Morehead St. 9, Mercer 8
In game two of the Friday doubleheader, the score was tied entering the third once again before each team plated two runs. The game would remain a deadlock until the Bears were able to score a run in the bottom of the fifth to make it a 3-2 Mercer lead.
The early pitcher’s duel turned into a hitter’s game as each team began to score runs on the opposition’s bullpen. After a four-run sixth by the Bears, the Beakers of Morehead State followed with their own four in the top half of the seventh. Junior David Reid Foley would tie the game at 8-8 with an RBI single in the bottom half of the seventh.
Morehead State would eventually respond with the decisive run with a solo shot by Kellen Begeman on a 2-0 count in the top of the eighth. The Kentucky-homed team would seal the deal with Matt Duncan’s solid two innings of relief to close out the game. Duncan faced eight batters and allowed just one hit in the final two frames.
Standout performers:
B. Barker (MU) 4 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 7 K…
L. Bainer (MSU) 4-6, 2-run HR, 2 RBIs, 2 R
Morehead St. 1, Mercer 2
In a pitcher’s duel that saw each team tally just six hits and an error a piece, the Bears squeezed out a one-run victory. After scoring a combined 45 runs in two games on opening day of play, the Bears and Beakers couldn’t muster a whole lot of offense as Morehead State’s Aaron Goe and Mercer’s Dimitri Kourtis pitched six innings and six and a third innings respectively. They each gave up just one earned run, walked two batters and faced 25 batters a piece.
With the game tied 1-1 in the bottom of the sixth, Mercer’s Austin Barrett scored the eventual game-winner off of an error.
After the run, the Mercer bullpen would pitch two and two-thirds perfect innings to seal the win.
Standout performers:
Aaron Goe (MSU) 6 IP, 4 H, 1 ER…
Dimitri Kourtis (MU) 6.1 IP, 6 H, 1 ER
Morehead St. 0, Mercer 10
Entering their final game of the four-game series with Morehead State, the Bears were aiming at a 3-1 start to the season and a series win. They would do just that as pitcher David Randall and three Mercer relief pitchers would team up to throw a shutout in the 10-0 afternoon stomping.
While the defense was taken care of by senior pitcher David Randall, the offense came in the shape of Travis Benn and Chesny Young. Benn provided a three-run dinger in the first while Young helped pile on the runs with his own two-run shot in the third.
Standout performers:
D. Randall (MU) 5.1 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 8 K…
T. Benn (MU) 1-2, 3-run HR, 3 RBIs, 2 R, BB
The Bears are off to the start they hoped for. With a few bright spots of pitching in games three and four of the series, the Mercer offense came to life with 42 runs in just four games. They sit at 3-1 and after facing Florida A&M on the road for a brief two-game set, the Bears return home for a three-game series with Presbyterian on Feb. 24.
(02/22/12 9:05pm)
For those of you who constantly find yourself looking back on those dreadful mistakes you made on that night where your conscience was blurred and intentions were good, this is the time to man up to your blunder and face the eventual consequences. Have you ever found yourself doing something unspeakable and stopping mid-task to realize that the red button of your recording device was not showing? Have you ever found yourself irritated by the constant shameful glares and disgusted responses to your guilty pleasures of documenting these revolting scenes? Have you ever found yourself frustrated by a series of long, continuous lines of unnecessary questioning? I have. In most cases, I cannot control my impulsive urge of adding another 30 minutes or an hour to my video collection each week. Most of the time, I enjoy watching my footage again and again in my living room or even off the internet.I am unmistakably confessing my addiction to the constant cycle of new primetime television sitcoms and dramas. What did you think I was talking about?Even with my overflowing agenda of work, classes and social life, I cannot help but keep an eye out for any given impending series. Whether tacky, unoriginal or just ridiculous, I cannot help but feel intrigued by returning celebrities and the hope of the next big hit. With the immediate success of a show such as ABC’s Modern Family, each upcoming pilot brings new-found optimism. In regards to the recent 30-minute comedies of 2 Broke Girls, the FRIENDS-like Happy Endings, Zooey Deschanel’s quirky New Girl, Tim Allen’s return to primetime in Last Man Standing, the fatties of Mike & Molly or the living within you means story behind Raising Hope, I keep coming back due to the likeable characters and my need-to-know mind-set. On that same note, there has been a recent flurry of hour-long dramas such as Kiefer Sutherland’s return to FOX in Touch, Katherine McPhee’s acting debut in Smash, the ultimate payback in Revenge, the creative fairy tells of Once Upon A Time and the LOST-like surprises of Alcatraz. I am staying tuned to find the clichéd diamond in the rough. When one show collapses, I many times use that as an excuse to add another two or three. While it may feel like a sickness, I find myself spending little-to-no money visiting the movie theatre’s jacked-up prices and watch the majority of my television shows commercial free on DVR or online. Seeing that I found terrific favorites through sitcoms such as Neil Patrick Harris’ ongoing “legendary” performances on How I Met You Mother and the loveable nerds of The Big Bang Theory, I cannot help to think that another great show is on the horizon. With up and down performances of the drama-filled Glee and the disappointing finishes to shows such as LOST and 24, fans like me stay tuned because we know no matter how ridiculous or generic they may be, consistency is key.They always seem to produce a few chuckles or gasps as they give me a much needed break from homework. With the rise of the internet, the continuous streaming of films and shows on the web, the inflation of ticket prices at the box office and the unwarranted amount of 3D films, the movie theatre experience isn’t quite what it used to be. It is more sensible to find the time to watch a quick 20 or 45 minute episode of a reliably decent TV program on my computer than pay an arm and a leg to flip a coin at the chances that Journey 2 or the 15th installment of Underworld will be anything close to bearable.Even though I continuously tell myself “I probably shouldn’t have recorded that” with each passing Monday, I know my loyalties will remain whether the series lasts 10 episodes or 10 years. Do not get me wrong, my love for movies will always remain as the DVD rack in my room continues to fill. With that said, I find myself reaching time and time again for the first two seasons of Modern Family than any of my movies.Keeping up with all of these shows can be very time-consuming and distracting, but I feel I can handle the juggle as long as I don’t go overboard and attempt to record every show on TV. Comments, questions, or concerns about this opinion can be sent to sports@mercercluster.com
(02/08/12 11:43pm)
With the start of the 2012 softball regular season right around the corner, Mercer senior shortstop Sara Stukes picked up preseason All-Atlantic Sun honors as released by the conference office last Wednesday.
“We are very proud of Sara and all of the accomplishments she has made both on and off the field,” said head coach James DeFeo to MercerBears.com. “She has been picked as one of our captains and she is definitely a stalwart leader on the team and we look forward to her doing big time things for the Bears on the field,” he added.
Stukes and the Bears finished 32-24 overall a year ago. The impressive season included an impressive showing in the conference tournament. Before the 2011 season, Mercer was picked to finish eighth in the A-Sun, yet finished the regular season as the fifth seed. In the tournament, the Bears also picked up two wins including a shocking elimination victory over tournament host USC Upstate.
After an offseason that saw the Bears lose two of their powerhouse pitchers in Jenni Holtz and Kari Chambers as well as the sudden resignation of head coach Mike Raynor, the Bears squad will look to build off the recent additions of five talented freshmen and newly appointed head coach James DeFeo.
Even with the voids on the mound, former SEC associate coach DeFeo takes over a team of seven returning starters. Looking to veterans such as Sara Stukes to make his transition a little smoother, DeFeo knows his competition will be stiff. “The Atlantic Sun is a very tough conference. There are a lot of good pitchers and very good defenses and we are looking to match that standard,” said DeFeo. “We’re getting back to the basics. We are working hard on the fundamentals. Building off of what we have done in the fall, we are going to take it day by day trying to get better,” he added. The Bears went 7-1 in the fall. On and off the field highlights included: getting the opportunity for DeFeo and his players to become acquainted with one another, everyone getting a chance to play and the six homerun, two grand slam 17-2 drubbing in their final game of the eight-game stretch.
Mercer softball was selected to finish seventh out of 10 teams in the conference as voted upon by coaches in the A-Sun. The Bears feel confident in what they were able to do and what they believe is still to come. The team as a whole knows they have a tough task ahead of them and are more-than-willing to face the challenge. “We haven’t really proven anything yet,” DeFeo said. “Preseason rankings are just people making decisions on past performances and since we really haven’t played yet, it is what it is. We have a lot of work to do as a program and we are going to take these rankings with a grain of salt because it’s not where you start, it’s where you end.”
Jacksonville is heavily favored to win the conference in both the coaches’ poll and fan poll. When asked of the team’s expectations this season, Mercer team captain Sara Stukes responded without hesitation: “Coach D has his sights on the A-Sun championship. We are working extra hard to get prepared and beat everybody in our path. He is really strong on the team and we have always had really strong chemistry. We are all about winning this year and we have a clear-cut focus.”
Mercer kicks off the 2012 season at the Kennesaw St. Classic on Saturday, Feb. 11 at 10:30 a.m. against Austin Peay. Their first home game isn’t until March 6.