Kennesaw State Box Score
Mercer Box Score

Evansville, IN – The University of Evansville Women's softball team (4-11, 0-0 MVC) was in action today as they started the Black and Orange Challenge at Mercer University.  The Aces started the off this afternoon with a 6-0 loss to Kennesaw State but bounced back for a solid 6-4 victory over host Mercer.
 
In the first game of the day, the Aces struggled to get anything going against Kennesaw State.  The Owls jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead in the top of the first.  Chandra Parr, Hayli Scott, and Michal Luckett all reached base for the Aces in the bottom of the first but the Aces were not able to cash in and left three base runners stranded.  Kennesaw State broke things open in the top of the third inning when they put three more runs on the board increasing their lead to 4-0.  Hayli Scott was able to get another single in the top of the third but was left on base.  Luckett was left stranded in the bottom of the fourth after her single to the right side.  Kennesaw State though was able to grab a run in both the fourth and fifth innings to solidify the 6-0 victory for the Owls.
 
Later in the afternoon the Aces took on host Mercer.  The Aces were able to jump out to a quick 1-0 lead when Ashlee Kawall was able to hit a triple and then was able to later score off of a wild pitch.  Mercer responded in the bottom of the second inning when they grabbed two runs of their own.  Mickaela Fleming came through in the top of the fourth with a solo homerun to even the score up at two runs apiece.  The Aces were able to get things going in the top of the sixth.  Hayli Scott was able to get on base on an error.  Courtney Land then ran for Scott.  Land then advanced to second off of a Mickaela Fleming sacrifice Michal Luckett then singled to shortstop putting runners at first and second.  Mariah Ferguson was then able to hit a triple to left center scoring Land and Luckett making the score 4-2.  Haylee Tracy then hit a single up the middle to score Ferguson making the score 5-2 in favor of the Aces.  In the top of the seventh after Ashlee Kawall was able to get on with a single to second, she later scored putting the Aces up 6-2.  Mercer was able to grab 2 runs in the bottom of the seventh but in the end couldn't catch the Aces as they walked away with the 6-4 victory.  Amanda Blankenship went 7 innings giving up four runs on eight hits and striking out six to earn the victory.

 
The Aces will be back in action tomorrow when they will see Kennesaw State and Mercer again.  On Sunday Evansville will wrap things up when they take on Buffalo.  Time and live stats link are provided below.
 
Live Stats links
 
Saturday February 28th
10:00am KSU vs. Evansville http://www.mercerbears.com/sports/sball/tournament/boxscores/20150228_99kz.xml
2:30pm Evansville vs. Mercer http://www.mercerbears.com/sports/sball/tournament/boxscores/20150228_xtgb.xml
Sunday March 1^st
11:30am Buffalo v. Evansville http://www.mercerbears.com/sports/sball/tournament/boxscores/20150301_nzvl.xml
 
The Aces will see their first home action on March 14^th when they take on conference opponent Loyola.