Mercer Battles Against Utah, No. 6 Oklahoma

Friday, March 6

Norman, Okla.

1 PM ET

Mercer University

9-13

Utah

13-2

Mercer

Utah

Photo by: Alex Keller

3/6/2020 10:17:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

The Bears led in the fifth inning or later in both games

By: Stephen Waldman

NORMAN, Okla. – The Mercer softball team fought hard against Utah and sixth-ranked Oklahoma on the opening day of the Mizuno Classic on Friday.

Mercer dropped a 6-5 decision to the Utes in the opener before falling to the Sooners, 10-5. The Bears battled in both of the games, leading in the fifth inning or later against both opponents.

Allie Jones led the Bears offense today by going 3-for-7 with a triple, two runs, an RBI and stole two bases. Elisa Rosaso and Danielle Castleberry also recorded three hits on the day, while Kenlie Harvey provided the pop for Mercer with a double, home run, two runs and two RBI. Sarah Taylor and Micayla Rood added two hits on the afternoon, while Abby Walsh reached base four times, drove in two runs, scored once and stole a base.

Game One: Utah 6, Mercer 5
The Bears started fast against the Utes as a Rosado walk and a Castleberry single to begin the threat. Jones reached on a fielder's choice to put runners on the corners before she was put in motion and stole second. Fortunately for Mercer, she forced an errant throw from the catcher and advanced to third while allowing Rosado to give the team a 1-0 lead.

Sophomore Bailey Pattison was in control early as she kept the Utes off the scoreboard through the first four innings while scattering two hits and three walks.

Mercer looked to add to its lead in the fifth inning when Rosado, Rood and Castleberry strung together three-straight two-out hits, but the Black and Orange were unable to extend their advantage.

Utah took the lead in the bottom of the fifth when Charlee Pond and Madi Jacobus both homered to give the designated home team a 3-1 lead. Mercer responded quickly as the Bears put up a three-spot of their own in the next inning to regain control. Walsh led off with a walk before Taylor singled to put a pair of runners on base. A fielder's choice by Rachel Baker put runners on the corners before pinch hitter Kylie Helm reached on an error to score Briana Rodriguez. Harvey dug into the box next and laced a 1-0 pitch into center field for an RBI double and advanced to third on a Utes error. Mercer recaptured the lead as Rosado beat out an infield single to plate Harvey.

Another Utah home run by BreOnna Castaneda tied the game before a sacrifice fly by Walsh plated Jones to give Mercer a 5-4 edge. Jones started the rally with a one-out triple to right field.

Utah was able to come away with the victory after a walkoff home run by Alyssa Barrera.

Game Two: #6 Oklahoma 10, Mercer 5
The Bears landed the first punch against the sixth-ranked Sooners, plating two in the first inning. Mercer had its first three hitters reach to load the bases as Rosado and Castleberry recorded hits to start the game. Jones and Walsh were both hit with the first pitch of their plate appearances to take a 2-0 lead.

Amber Byrd got the Bears back into the dugout quickly as she induced a trio of ground balls to set down Oklahoma in order. Harvey extended the lead to 3-0 in the top of the second when the sophomore belted a 1-0 pitch over the right-center field wall for her fourth home run of the year.

Byrd was able to produce another 1-2-3 inning in the second before Oklahoma broke through in the third inning. The Sooners compiled three hits in the inning and scored three runs to tie the game.

Mercer bounced back in the fifth inning as a single by Jones and another hit by pitch by Walsh got things going for the visitors. The duo stealthily executed a double steal to put ducks on the pond before a Taylor fielder's choice handed Mercer a 5-3 lead. Both Jones and Walsh scored on the play with Walsh taking advantage of an error by the Oklahoma catcher.

Lynnsie Elam evened things up in the bottom of the frame with a two-run home run before the Sooners put together a five-run sixth on four hits to lock up the win.

Notables
» Castleberry became the first Bear to reach 30 hits this season.
» Castleberry tallied the 125th hit of her career.
» Rood documented her 120th career hit.
» Harvey smashed her team-leading fourth home run of the season and 10th of her career.
» Rosado recorded her 20th hit of the season.
» Jones slugged her third triple of the season and fifth of her career.
» Jones swiped her team-leading 15th and 16th stolen bases of the season.
» Walsh posted her 15th career stolen base.

Up Next
The Bears continue the Mizuno Classic on Saturday in Stillwater, Okla., as they get set to take on Utah (1 p.m. ET) and #14 Oklahoma State (3:30 p.m. ET).

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.