Box Score

MACON, Ga. - The IUPUI softball team closed out its weekend at the Mercer Invitational with a 3-1 loss to tournament host Mercer Sunday (Feb. 10) afternoon in Macon, Ga. 
 
The loss brings IUPUI to 3-2 on the season.
 
The first two innings of the game were scoreless, with both teams knocking on the door but unable to push any runs across.  Jessica Lam hit a two-out double in the top of the first and advanced to third on an error by Mercer shortstop Krista Kennedy.  However, the Jags failed to take advantage of the error when Lindsey Richards struck out to end the inning.
 
Mercer finally pushed the first run of the game across in the bottom of the third after having runners in scoring position for the previous two innings.  Rachel Hugghins doubled to left field, scoring her sister Victoria Hugghins who had previously reached base on a fielder’s choice. 
 
Lam continued to carry the Jags’ offense in the fourth on a single to center field.  She advanced to second on a passed ball and scored on a Alicia Brewer single to center field to tie the game at 1-1.
 
In the bottom of the sixth, Mercer took the lead 2-1 on an Ashton Holt two-out homerun over the left field fence.  Randi Rea continued the offensive run with a double, prompting Coach Amanda Rivera to enter Cassie Vodde in the circle for Emili Escamilla.  McKenzie Woody singled up the middle to bring in the Bears’ third run of the game. 
 
The Jags reached base in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings but could not put any more runs on the board.  IUPUI stranded seven runners on the day.

The Jags landed three players to the Mercer Invitational All-Tournament Team: Lam, Richards and Jocelyn Oppenhuis.  Lam was 10-16 with 4 homeruns, Richards was 7-16 and Oppenhuis pitched 5.2 innings, tallying seven strikeouts.   
 
IUPUI continues its season Saturday, Feb. 16 when it travels to Kennesaw, Ga., for the Kennesaw State Classic.