Bears Pick Up Win After 10 Inning Battle

Wednesday, March 22

Atlanta, Ga.

3:00 PM

Mercer University

9-18

Georgia State University

10-17

Mercer Softball

Georgia State

3/22/2023 9:34:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Atlanta, Ga. – Bears split their double header today against Georgia State.

"Happy with the way we battled in the first game to get a win after a pretty slow start," said head coach Fico. "We need to do a better job of riding momentum into game 2 with conference starting this weekend. Double headers make for a long day, but they come with the territory and the best teams find a way to stay locked in until the final pitch."

How It Happened
Game One
    Tori Hedgecock was able to reach first on a wild pitch but remained on first after a strikeout and a fouled out to center. Georgia State picked up two home runs at the bottom of the first and second to take the lead at the top of the third, 2-0. The Bears picked up offensively in the top of the third with Rebeca Laudino getting the first hit of the game. She stole to second and then advanced to third on a passed ball. Hedgecock walked to first and Kylie Helm doubled to center to bring both Bears home. Mercer retired the Panthers with a double play from Avery Barton & Bailey Ledvina to end the third 2-2. Avery Barton came in with her third home run of the season to push Mercer ahead. GSU picked up a hit in the bottom but left her stranded.
    The fifth brought hot bats with Laudino, Hedgecock, and Helm picking up singles. Laudino was caught at home and the other two were left stranded at second and third. Mercer recorded their second double play of the day from Hedgecock and Ledvina. The Bears still lead 3-2 going into the sixth but had a 1 2 3 inning offensively. Two Panthers got on base before Grace Taylor entered the circle to record a strikeout. With two outs left a homer put Georgia State on top, 5-3. Woods reached on a throwing error and advanced after a single from Laudino. Helm walked to juice the bases with two outs. Ledvina singled to left field to bring home Laudino and Woods to tie the game, 5-5. Mercer was able to hold with two on base to push to extra innings.
    Wiggs got to first after being hit by a pitch and was advanced after a single from Woods. They were both stranded and the game remained tied at 5 going into the bottom of the eighth. The ninth brought nothing for either team. Sophie Sumner, Wiggs, and Laudino were able to get on base with singles. Laudino singled up the middle to bring home Sumner. Mercer left the three stranded but took a one-point lead. Taylor recorded the first out with a strikeout and with two infield outs the Bears took the game in 10 innings, 6-5.

Game Two
    Laudino started the game with a bunt single but remained on base. The Panthers were able to get one run on three hits to take an early lead. Mercer could not get anything going offensively in the second. Georgia State heated up and lead 4-0 at the end of the second. Woods singled and was brought home by a homerun from Hedgecock. The Bears were able to hold one on base and trail 2-4 at the end of the third.
    GSU served a three up and three down in the fourth and fifth innings. Georgia State furthered its lead in the bottom of the fifth with two runs on three hits. Hedgecock singled down the left field line and advanced after Helm was walked. Ledvina reached on a fielder's choice and was left on base with Hegecock. The Panthers came back with three runs on three hits to further their lead by 9-2 to finish out the sixth. Woods singled, but it was not enough and Georgia State took the game 9-2.

Up Next
    The Bears will open up Southern Conference play this weekend in Birmingham, AL against Samford. Saturday, March 25 will showcase a doubleheader starting at 1:00 p.m. (CT) and a final game on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. (CT).

Follow the Bears
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