Mercer Falls to Toledo in Extra Innings

Sunday, February 28

Macon, Ga.

10 a.m.

Mercer University

5-6

Toledo

3-2

Toledo

Mercer

Photo by: Mitch Robinson

2/28/2021 3:42:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

Micayla Rood recorded two hits against the Rockets

By: Stephen Waldman

MACON, Ga. – The Mercer softball team closed out its Black & Orange Challenge with a hard-fought 2-1 setback in an eight-inning affair against Toledo on Sunday at Sikes Field.

Pitching was the story of the day as both teams received strong performances in the circle. Ashlyn Donner started for the Bears and put together five strong innings, allowing just four hits without issuing a walk and striking out four. Amber Byrd pitched three innings in relief for the home team, limiting the Rockets to just two hits and a walk while earning one punch out. For Toledo, Erin Hunt threw all eight innings in the win.

Elisa Rosado and Micayla Rood were productive at the top of the Mercer order as both of them went 2-for-4 in the game. Rosado added an RBI double to her stat line as well. Kylie Helm picked up the other hit for the Bears, while Allie Jones reached on a walk.

How It Happened
After playing a 12-inning marathon game yesterday, Mercer treated its fans to another day with free softball as the Bears went to extras against Toledo.

Donner worked around three Toledo hits through the first two innings before finding her groove. The New Ulm, Minn., native retired eight straight Rockets from the final out of the second through the beginning of the fifth inning with consecutive 1-2-3 innings in the third and fourth frames. She tallied three strikeouts in four batters over that stretch.

Kylie Helm picked up the Bears' first hit of the game with a leadoff base knock in the second inning by shooting a single the other way. Rood led off the fourth inning with a single to left center before being moved up to second base on a sacrifice, but she would be stranded in scoring position.

Toledo finally got to Donner in the fifth inning with a one-out double by Raquel Emery. She advanced to third on an error and attempted to score when Aubrey Reed put the ball in play, but a diving stop by Adele Braun kept the ball in the infield. The Bears' third baseman popped up and fired a perfect strike to catcher Tori Ash who applied the tag and kept the game scoreless.

Mercer threatened in the sixth inning when Rosado and Rood connected a pair of hits to put runners on first and second. A fielder's choice put runners at the corners with two outs, but Toledo managed to get out of the jam unharmed. Neither team was able to score in the seventh inning and the two clubs headed into extra innings in a scoreless draw.

After the Bears retired the first two Rockets in the eighth inning, Dayna Denner pushed across the first runs of the game with a two-run home run. Rosado answered for the home team in the bottom of the inning as she blasted a 1-1 offering over the left fielder's head for an RBI double to plate pinch runner Emily Barras. Mercer was unable to find the equalizer, however, as Toledo escaped with the win.

Notables
» Mercer has played two extra inning games in its last three contests.
» Rood and Rosado recorded their third multi-hit games of the year to tie Danielle Castleberry for the team lead.
» Rosado legged out her team-leading fourth double of the season.

Up Next
The Bears return to action on Wednesday as they host Columbus State at Sikes Field for a doubleheader. The games are slated to begin at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.

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.