Mercer Softball Splits Pair on Opening Day of Mercer Invitational

MACON, Ga. (MERCER RELEASE) – The Mercer softball team split a pair of games on day one of the Mercer Invitational, falling 9-8 to Samford to open the season, before battling back with a 9-1 victory in five inning over Florida A&M at Sikes Field.

In game one, Samford jumped out to a 2-0 first-inning lead, but the Bears responded in the bottom half of the opening frame, using four walks and a pair of hits to score five runs with two outs and jump on top 5-2. Caroline Taylor opened up the scoring with a two-run double down the left field line, and Natalie Shiver followed with a three-run double to left-center to cap a five-run first inning.

The Bulldogs would answer however, scoring three runs in the third inning and four more in the fourth to jump on top 9-5. Mercer added three runs in the bottom of the fourth, using an RBI single from Krista Kennedy and a two-run base knock from Randi Rea, but the Bears left the tying run on third base to end the inning.

Samford looked to add insurance run in the top of the seventh, but McKenzie Woody gunned down the potential run at the plate to end the inning. The Bears managed to get the leadoff runner aboard in the bottom of the seventh, but a game-ending double play sent the Bulldogs to a 9-8 victory.

Mollie Hanson (2-0) picked up the victory in relief, tossing 4.0 innings and giving up no runs on four hits, while Riley Carter (0-1) suffered the loss, allowing eight hits and seven runs in 3.1 innings of work.

Mercer took the early lead in game two when Rae led off with a triple to right field and Taylor promptly stepped to the plate and singled to left field to give the Bears a 1-0 lead.

After Florida A&M tied the score in the top of the third, Mercer broke out the bats again in its half of the third frame and scored four runs on five hits, including a two-run blast from Rea to send Mercer to a 5-1 lead.

The Bears continued to pour it on in the fourth inning, adding four more runs, including a pair of home runs to push the lead out to 9-1. Kennedy started the parade with a two-run shot to center field and Rae followed and made it back-to-back bombs with a solo blast to left field to give Mercer all the runs they would need in a 9-1 run-rule victory.

Julia Rice (1-0) picked up the victory, tossing 4.0 innings of two-hit ball and allowing one earned run. Kirsten Stevens came on to record the final three outs.

Rae ended the game going 3-for-3 with two home runs, a triple and three runs batted in for the Bears, while Woody added a pair of hits, two runs scored and a run batted in.

The Mercer Softball Invitation Tournament returns to Sikes Field Saturday afternoon with four games. The Bears are slated to open the day at 12:15 p.m. against Eastern Kentucky.