Mercer Slugs Past Southern Miss on Sunday

Sunday, March 1

Montgomery, Ala.

10 AM ET

Mercer University

9-12

Southern Miss

11-6

Mercer

Southern Miss

Photo by: Alex Keller

3/1/2020 2:26:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

Allie Jones recorded a season-high three hits in the game, including No. 100 in her career

By: Stephen Waldman

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Mercer softball team ended the weekend on a high note with a 5-2 victory over Southern Miss on Sunday at the Barbara Williams Softball Complex.

The Bears totaled 10 hits in the game, including four that went for extra bases. Rookie Sarah Taylor provided some pop in the middle of the order with her second home run of the year, while Elisa Rosado, Danielle Castleberry and Allie Jones all recorded a double in the win. Jones posted her first three-hit game of the season as she surpassed the 100-hit threshold in her career. Kenlie Harvey added a key hit and scored a run for the Black and Orange.

In the circle, Amber Byrd improved to 4-3 with her sixth complete game of the year. The Jackson, Tenn., native scattered four hits and five walks over 7.0 innings of work while allowing just two runs. She fanned four Golden Eagles in the game.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Bears offense got to work early as back-to-back two-out doubles by Castleberry and Jones spotted the designated visitors a 1-0 lead. The Golden Eagles responded in the bottom of the frame and took a 2-1 lead after a Lacey Sumerlin home run.

Not to be outdone, Mercer tied the game in the top of the second when Taylor blasted a 1-1 pitch over the centerfield wall. Harvey added a two-out single in the inning to rekindle the rally before Rosado doubled down the line in right to put runners in scoring position. Rood allowed the Bears to retake the lead with a single to right to score Harvey, but Rosado was thrown out trying to add an insurance run to end the inning.

Mercer continued to threaten as its first three hitters reached base, but a double play and a groundout allowed Southern Miss to escape without any further damage. That would not be the case in the fifth inning, though, as a wild pitch and error on the same play allowed Rood and Jones to extend the lead to 5-2.

Byrd limited the Golden Eagles to just one hit throughout the final three innings to preserve the victory for the Bears.

Notables
» Jones recorded the 100th hit of her career.
» Jones earned her first three-hit game of the year.
» Rood and Jones remain tied for second on the team with their sixth multi-hit games of the season.
» Taylor belted the second home run of her rookie campaign.
» Castleberry tallied her seventh double of the season to match her personal best set last year.
» Byrd has pitched 50.0 innings for the Bears in her first season with the club.

Up Next
The Bears return home to Sikes Field to battle Auburn on Wednesday in a midweek doubleheader. The first game is slated to begin at 5 p.m.

Follow the Bears
For complete coverage of Mercer Softball, please follow the Bears on social media at @MercerUSoftball (Twitter), /MUSoftball (Facebook) and @MercerUSoftball (Instagram) or visit the official home of Mercer Athletics at MercerBears.com.