Bears Grab First Victory of Season

Sunday, February 13

Tallahassee, FL

9:00 AM

Mercer University

1-4

Loyola University Chicago

2-3

Loyola Chicago

Mercer

2/13/2022 1:13:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

Mercer defeats Loyola-Chicago

By: Nicole Dennis

Tallahassee, FL. – The Mercer softball team grabs their first win of the season over Loyola-Chicago Sunday morning, earning Head Coach Lindsay Fico her first division 1 win.

"The weekend didn't start the way we wanted, but I am extremely proud of this team," said Head Coach Fico. "We knew we had a challenge in front of us opening at FSU, but early adversity is something we feel will pay off in the long run. It's hard to not focus on results as a coach, but we are doing our best to trust our process because it's what we preach to our team. We can't ask them to take a step back and reflect if we aren't willing to do it ourselves. I'm proud of them and encouraged by their enthusiasm to build a winning program."

"Katie, Riley and Hannah competed as a true "unit" today. All of them played to their strengths and leaned on each other. Hannah was pretty much flawless in the final two innings."

"Our hitters made better adjustments at the plate. I felt like each of them trusted their plan and narrowed their focus to one pitch at a time. I'm proud of the way we competed through the lineup and proud of those that came off the bench to make an impact. Our dugout was also more effective today…everyone was totally locked in. It made a big difference! I'm excited to see more."

Mercer 4, Loyola 3
A triple from Annie Potter started the bottom of the first inning for the Bears. A single from Tori Hedgecock allowed Potter to score. Kenlie Harvey's triple to left center brought Hedgecock home before the Bears struck out leading 2-0.

The Ramblers responded in the top of the second with two singles putting them on first and second. Abbey Jacobsen would walk before a single to second base from Teagan Sopczak brought Sydney Barnett and Haley Wallace home, tying the game at two.

The Bears answered starting with a walk from Rachel Baker. Amy Macnab bunted to the catcher which aided Baker advancing to third. In the next play, Macnab would be caught stealing and Baker scored. In the bottom of the second the Bears led by one, 3-2.

The inning remained scoreless until the top of the fifth when Ava Bieneman doubled to left center, stole third, and scored on an error. Mercer 3, Loyola 3.

In the bottom of the fifth the Bears subbed Elisa Rosado for Alyssa Woods. Rosado walked followed by a single through left field from Kylie Helm, advancing Rosado to second. Harvey reached on an error advancing Rosado and Helm. A walk from Tori Ash with bases loaded put the Bears up by one, 4-3 and would be the last run of the game on both sides.

Pitcher, Hannah Pitts finished the game for the Bears causing two strike outs swinging, and one strike out looking. Baker and Potter assisted defensively as Teagan Sopczak fouled out to first base in the top of the sixth and a ground ball to short stop closed the game in the top of the seventh.

Up Next
The Bears will face Georgia Tech Tuesday at 5:00 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.

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