Mercer Caps Mizuno Classic with Win Over Murray St.

Sunday, March 8

Stillwater, Okla.

11 AM ET

Mercer University

10-16

Murray State

12-10

Murray State

Mercer

Photo by: Alex Keller

Mercer Caps Mizuno Classic with Win Over Murray St.

3/8/2020 3:02:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

Allie Jones went 2-for-3 with two runs and two RBI in the win

By: Stephen Waldman

STILLWATER, Okla. – The Mercer softball team concluded the Mizuno Classic with a 5-3 victory over Murray State on Sunday at Oklahoma State's Cowgirl Stadium.

Allie Jones led the Bears with a 2-for-3 showing at the dish with two runs and two RBI, while Kylie Helm added two hits and an RBI on the afternoon. Rookie Diamond Williams recorded Mercer's lone extra-base hit of the day with an RBI double.

In the circle, Amber Byrd went the distance for the seventh time this season and scattered four hits and three runs (two earned) over 7.0 innings of work. The junior right-hander issued three walks while striking out two.

How It Happened
Mercer found itself in an early hole after Sierra Gilmore hit a two-out home run in the first inning to give the Racers an early 1-0 lead. Murray State added to its lead in the third inning as Logan Braundmeier reached on a walk and eventually scored on a defensive miscue by the Bears.

The Black and Orange utilized a plethora of mistakes by Murray State to kick-start their offense as Tori Ash, Elisa Rosado and Micayla Rood all reached on errors to load the bases. Jones pulled a two-out single through the right side that scored Rosado and Rood to tie the game. Head coach Stephanie DeFeo called upon Helm to pinch hit, and the Anderson, Mo., native once again came through with a clutch hit off the bench. Helm reached on an RBI single to third to give Mercer the lead. The Bears were not done, though, as Diamond Williams laced a double through the right side to extend the lead to 4-2.

Murray State drew within one in the fifth inning with a sacrifice fly, but Mercer had a response prepared in the home half of the frame. Jones and Helm opened the inning with a couple of infield hits with both players recording a stolen base. Rachel Baker laid down a bunt that was mishandled by the pitcher, allowing Jones to score from third and provide some breathing room for the Bears.

Byrd locked in for the final two innings as she retired six of the final seven batters she faced en route to her fifth win of the year.

Notables
» Byrd earned her fifth win in a Bears' jersey.
» Rosado extended her hitting streak to a personal best seven games.
» Williams recorded her fifth double of the season.
» Jones notched her ninth multi-hit performance of the season.
» Helm posted her second multi-hit game of the year.

Up Next
The Bears are set to begin a five-game homestand on Wednesday as they welcome in-state rival Georgia Tech to Sikes Field for a 6 p.m. matchup.

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.