Softball Opens Fall State Against Andrew and Georgia Highland
9/25/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
MACON, Ga. – The Mercer University softball team opens up its eight-game fall scrimmage schedule this weekend, as the Bears host Andrew College and Georgia Highland at Sikes Field for a pair of doubleheaders on Sept. 26-27.
Mercer, which opened practice two weeks ago, takes on Andrew on Saturday with first pitch of the doubleheader scheduled for 1 p.m. The Bears close out the opening weekend of action on Sunday with a twinbill against Georgia Highland starting at 1 p.m.
"The team is really excited about hitting the field and getting the opportunity play someone other than ourselves," said head coach James Defeo. "We have a lot of different lineups and people in new spots, so we are excited about seeing what they can do."
Mercer was on the brink of a league title in its inaugural season in the conference in 2015, compiling a 37-22 overall record and a 10-7 mark in the league. The Bears carried their regular season success to the 2015 SoCon Championship game, using three shutout victories to come within two runs of the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance.
The 2015-16 team features 13 returning letterwinners, headlined by All-SoCon selections Taylor Miller and Caroline Taylor and All-SoCon Freshman Team pick Meghan Rud. Mercer will also have seven newcomers step onto Sikes Field for the first time this weekend.
"We've had a few weeks of really good practice and our newcomers have come a long way already," added Defeo. "It will be interesting to see how well the team works together this weekend to show what they can do this season."
The Bears' fall schedule includes four other scrimmages, as South Georgia State and Georgia Military College come to Macon on Oct. 10-11 during Family Weekend.
