CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The UNCG softball team dropped a 9-0 loss in six innings against third-seeded Mercer Wednesday at the Southern Conference Tournament at Jim Frost Stadium.

The Spartans fall to 24-21 on the season and will face No. 7 seed ETSU Thursday, May 7 at 9 a.m. in a elimination game.

Kristen Stevens improved to 24-8 on the season after throwing six innings and allowed no runs off six hits. Freshman pitcher Alicia Bazonski (Sheffield, Mass./Mount Everett) falls to 10-10 with the loss after allowing three earned runs off seven hits in 3.1 innings.

Mercer struck first in the first inning scoring a run off three hits all with two outs. With two outs, Riley Carter singled and Natalie Shiver followed with a single up the middle. Taylor Rogers lined a ball that bounced over UNCG's first baseman into right field allowing Carter to score. Shiver tried to score from first on the play but was thrown out.

The Bears scored two more runs in the fourth inning off three hits. Shiver doubled to right center to start the inning. After a out, Taylor singled to right field to give the Bears a 2-0 lead. Kaylynn Sloat doubled to left center and Quirisa Mauga worked a walk to load the bases. Pinch hitter Molly Garmany earned a RBI off a hit by pitch.

Mercer added two more runs in the fifth inning to extend its lead to 5-0. Mauga had the key hit with a two-run double to centerfield.  

In the top of the sixth inning, UNCG loaded the bases after singles from juniors Allison Geiner (Raleigh, N.C./Middle Creek), Nicole Thomas (Irvine, Calif./Northwood) and Lindsay Thomas (Irvine, Calif./Northwood). The Spartans couldn't push any runs across after a groundout and a fly out ended the threat.

The Bears ended the game early in the sixth inning off a game-ending grand slam by Sloat. 

Be sure to follow all updates about the UNCG softball team on www.uncgspartans.com or on twitter @UNCGsports/@UNCGsoftball.