Bears Clutch Doubleheader Win

Saturday, April 1

Macon, Ga.

4:00 PM

Mercer University

10-23, 1-3

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

15-14, 0-1

UTC

Mercer Softball

4/1/2023 10:19:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Macon,GA. – The Bears finished their first day of play against the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga this afternoon with two wins.

"Very proud of how the entire team performed today. Everyone was locked in from the first pitch. It was the first full day we have put together and been competitive on both sides of the ball," said head coach Fico."Grace Taylor was huge. To throw a complete game one and then close game two is a big deal. She handled herself very well all day. Our bats did whatever it took to scratch runs when we could. We did the little things well and it paid off!"

How It Happened
GAME ONE
    Bears held two on base with Grace Taylor picking up her first strike out of the day. The Bears and the Mocs got runners to second, but could not capitalize. The teams were tied at zero going into the third. Rebeca Laudino singled for the Bears first hit of the game. Laudino was advanced to second by Avery Barton. Bailey Ledvina singled to left field to bring home Laudino. Mercer finished the third leading 1-0.

The Mocs homered in the top of the fifth to tie the game at one. Laudino singled in the bottom but was caught at second. A three up three down for the Mocs kept the game tied heading into the bottom of the sixth. Kylie Helm reached first on a passed ball, but could not capitalize. UTC would homer again to take a one-point lead in the middle of the seventh. Grace Prom was walked to be the first Bear on base with Emma Dorval pinch running. Sophie Sumner doubled to left and advanced Dorval to third. Alyssa Woods grounded out to bring Dorval home and advance Sumner. With two outs Laudino bunted and Sumner made a gorgeous slide into home for Mercer to take the game 3-2.

GAME TWO
    Mocs got the first hit of the game, but Mercer held them in scoring position. Laudino singled to first and was advanced by Avery Barton. Bailey Ledvina singled through the left side to bring her in. The Bears closed out the first lead 1-0 with one run on two hits. Katie Rearley recorded her first strikeout of the night to keep two runners on. Grace Prom singled but was left stranded to enter the second with the Bears on top 1-0. Mercer served a three up three down in the top of the third. Laudino singled again and stole the second. Barton also singled to get on base. Helm grounded out to bring Laudino home. Mercer concluded the third leading 2-0.

UTC got two on base but was quickly shut down by the defense. Hall centered to left and advanced on a wild pitch and by Prom. Woods singled to bring her home. Woods picked up a stolen base but did not return home. The Bears finished the fourth 3-0 with one run on two hits. The Mocs were shut down again in the top of the fifth with no runs or hits. Barton singled to start the bottom off hot and advanced on a wild pitch. Helm was hit by a pitch to make it to first. Wiggs would pitch run and was advanced by Ledvina. With two in scoring position, Helm walked and Barton scored on a wild pitch.

The Bears gave up one run and got nothing done to finish the sixth, 4-1. In the top of the seventh, the Mocs would get two runs on two hits. Mercer was able to stop them and take the game 4-3.

Up Next
    The Bears will finish their home stand tomorrow, April 2 against UTC at 1:00 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.