Mercer Splits on Day One at Black & Orange Challenge

Friday, February 26

Macon, Ga.

3:45 p.m.

Mercer University

3-4

Alabama A&M

1-5

Alabama A&M

Mercer

Photo by: Mitch Robinson

Mercer Splits on Day One at Black & Orange Challenge

2/26/2021 11:02:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Madi Joice picked up her first win in a Bears uniform

By: Stephen Waldman

MACON, Ga. – The Mercer softball team split its games against Alabama A&M and Pitt on the first day of the Black & Orange Challenge on Friday at Sikes Field.

The Bears opened the tournament with a 7-1 victory over AAMU before dropping a 7-2 decision to Pitt.

Elisa Rosado tallied a team-high four hits on the day, all of which came in the first game as the sophomore outfielder set a new career high. The Plano, Texas, native also led the Bears with two runs and two stolen bases. Diamond Williams added three hits on the day as well, including two doubles and a team-high four RBI. Madison Headley tallied her first multi-hit game in a Mercer uniform with a pair of base knocks against Alabama A&M in game one. Additionally, Adele Braun posted her first career multi-RBI game against the Bulldogs.

In the circle, Madi Joice was dominant in a complete game, three-hit effort against AAMU as the Tahlequah, Okla., native picked up her first collegiate victory.

Game One: Mercer 7, Alabama A&M 1
Mercer's offense jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning that started with Rosado hustling into second with a double. Headley followed by beating out an infield single before Castleberry was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Williams broke the scoreless tie with a two-run single down the line in left.

Joice was on her game from the first pitch of the game, only allowing a pair of walks through the first two innings. Alabama A&M earned its first hit of the game in the third inning but was unable to do any further damage as Annie Potter scooped up a Serena Herbranson ground ball that was headed up the middle before she stepped on second and fired over to first to complete the inning-ending double play.

The Bears broke the game wide open in the home half of the frame as Rosado once again kick-started the rally with a leadoff base hit. She stole second and advanced to third on a Headley double. Castleberry legged out a bunt single that allowed Rosado to cross the plate for the third run of the game before Headley scampered home to score the team's fourth run. Williams tacked on an RBI double to score Castleberry before advancing to third on a pass ball. Braun blasted the 1-1 offering over the wall in left center for a two-run home run and the first long ball of her career.

Alabama A&M broke up the shutout in the sixth inning, but the damage was done as Mercer cruised to victory.

Game Two: Pitt 7, Mercer 2
The Bears found themselves in an early hole after Pitt scored three in the first inning. Both Amber Byrd and Pitt's starter, Dani Drogemuller, settled into the game after that point as neither team scored again until the fourth inning. Byrd produced her first 1-2-3 inning of the game in the fourth against the top of the Panthers' lineup, including a pair of strikeouts to end the inning.

Mercer broke through in the home half of the frame with a rally that started with two outs and Castleberry standing on second base. Potter pressured the Panthers' defense into a defensive miscue that allowed her to trade places with Castleberry as the Bears' second baseman scored the team's first run of the game. Just like in the first game, Williams drove in a run with an RBI double to cut the deficit to one, 3-2.

After Pitt added an insurance run in the top of the fifth, the inning ended with a stellar defensive play by Castleberry. The Ellenwood, Ga., native made a diving catch up the middle before getting up to her knees and tossing the ball over to first to double up the Panthers' runner to limit the damage.

The Bears continued to fight throughout the next two innings as a Rosado walk in the fifth and a Potter single in the sixth brought the game tying run to the plate. Trailing by two heading into the final inning, Mercer made just one poorly-located pitch in the final frame, resulting in a three-run home run for Cami Compson put Pitt up, 7-2, and put the game out of reach.

Notables
» Rosado saw her hitting streak snapped at 15 games after going hitless against the Panthers.
» Rosado recorded a career-high four hits in game one against Alabama A&M.
» Braun slugged her first career home run.
» Braun posted her first multi-RBI game.
» Joice notched her first collegiate victory.

Up Next
The Bears return to Sikes Field on Saturday for the second day of the Black & Orange Challenge. Mercer will play Pitt (12:30 p.m.) and Alabama A&M (2:45 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.