SLIPPERY ROCK — What was already a tough week for the Slippery Rock High softball team almost got a lot worse.

On Tuesday, the Rockets blew a lead againstGrove City and lost 3-2. On Thursday, Slippery Rock let a 7-0 lead slip away in another one-run defeat.

So when Mercer rallied with four runs in the top of the sixth inning to erase what had been a four-run lead, Slippery Rock coach Zoe McDowell admitted she thought, "Here we go again."

"Sure, I was (thinking that)," McDowell said. "Inside I feel nervous for the girls, but you just can't let them see it and show it."

McDowell kept her cool and so did her team, which scored the winning run on a Mercer throwing error with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning to claim an all-important 6-5 win Friday.

"It was very important for them to find that confidence to hold on," McDowell said. "When (Mercer) came back to tie it, I'm sure that was very difficult for them. But then to overcome that I'm sure is going to be excellent for them."

The extra-inning win turned what could have been a calamitous week into one that was at least bearable.

Lindsay Bennett broke out of her slump with a 3-for-4 day with two doubles. Her third inning double drove in two runs and helped the Rockets build a 4-0 lead on Mercer pitcher Jessica Trott.

With Slippery Rock pitcher Morgan Robinson cruising, that lead appeared to be secure.

Robinson, who slapped her glove on her left thigh and let out a Monica Seles-like grunt with each pitch, gave up one unearned run through five innings before running into trouble in the sixth.

The big blow came on a three-run homer by Mercer's Justine Gabany that curled around the foul pole down the right field line to tie the score at five.

"The way the girls hit, it was encouraging," said Mercer coach Jack Trott. "Justine's home run was beautiful. The ending was kind of disappointing, but for a first-year program, we'll take it."

Slippery Rock (3-4) had a golden scoring opportunity end in the bottom of the sixth inning when Mercer (1-7) turned a triple play.

With runners at first and second, the Rockets' Alyssa Newcomb hit a liner to Gabany at first base. She stepped on first and then threw Jamie Laughner out at third.

Slippery Rock, though, pushed the winning run across in the eighth. Bennett doubled with one out, moved to third on a groundout by Hilly Pendel and scored on a throwing error to end the game and give the Rockets a lift.

Although she went hitless, third baseman Sam Volponi may have been one of the most valuable players in the win, McDowell said.

"Sam Volponi is a senior on the team and she does a great job talking to the girls and telling them they can do it," McDowell said. "We trust her to call those meetings."

McDowell admitted her team is not where she hoped it would be.

"We really shouldn't have the record that we have," McDowell said. "But we should get better as we go on."

Mercer 000 104 00—5 7 1Slippery Rock 004 100 01—6 7 3Two out when winning run scoredW: Morgan Robinson 8 IP (8 K, 2 BB).

L: Jessica Trott 7X\c IP (1 K, 3 BB).

Mercer (1-7): Cassie Lipinski 2-1B; Amanda Heckathorn 1B; Justine Gabany HR, 3-RBI; Cassie Flannery 1B, 2B, RBI; Kimberly Rigal 1B

Slippery Rock (3-4): Jessica Hotz 1B; Robinson 2-1B; ErinFerguson 2B, RBI; Lindsay Bennett 1B, 2-2B, 2-RBI

Monday: Slippery Rock at Farrell