Big Innings, Mixed Results For Bears On Saturday

Saturday, February 24

Macon, Ga.

11 a.m.

Mercer University

5-4

Bryant

5-2

Bryant

Mercer

Big Innings, Mixed Results For Bears On Saturday

2/24/2024 5:26:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Photo Gallery

By: Todd Anderson, anderson_t02@mercer.edu

MERCER – Visiting Bryant used a 7-run third inning to fuel a 14-5 victory over the Mercer softball team in the opening game of Saturday's action at the Mercer Bear Invitational, but the Orange & Black turned the table in the follow-up contest with Morehead State by registering an 8-run fourth inning on the way to a 10-4 triumph.

Mercer (6-4) improved to improved to 4-0 all-time in the series with the Eagles (4-4), including a 2-0 mark against MSU at this weekend's Mercer Bear Invitational at Sikes Field. The Bears have now dropped two-straight meetings in the series with Bryant (5-2).

Junior Katheryn Rearley (1-1) took the loss for the hosts in the opener after surrendering five runs (three earned) on five hits in two innings from the circle. Sophomore Grace Taylor (2-1) grabbed the win for the Bears against MSU, striking out five and allowing four runs (three earned) across her second complete game of the campaign.

DOUBLEHEADER SUMMARY
GAME 1 FINAL	Bryant 14, Mercer 5
PITCHERS	WP: Caroline Paolantonio (2-0) LP: Grace Taylor (1-1) Save: Grace McKillop (1)

GAME 2 FINAL	Mercer 10, Morehead State 4
PITCHERS	WP: Grace Taylor (2-1) LP: Addie Stem (2-4)

RECORDS	Mercer (6-4, 0-0 SoCon); Morehead State (4-4, 0-0 OVC); Bryant (5-2, 0-0 America East)

KEY INNINGS VS. BRYANT
TOP 3	Bryant sent 11 batters to the plate and scored seven times off of five hits and a costly error by the Bears. Four different Bulldogs recorded RBI knocks in the frame, including Amira Rainer who clubbed a 3-run, pinch-hit double to finish off the big inning for the visitors.

KEY INNINGS VS. MOREHEAD STATE
BOT 4	Mercer erased a 4-1 deficit by sending 11 batters to the plate to fuel an 8-run frame. The Orange & Black rattled the Eagles for five hits in the frame, including back-to-back homers from Tori Hedgecock (grand slam) and Kassidy Moore.

MU LEADERS VS. BU	BU LEADERS VS. MERCER
Parris Wiggs 3-4, 2B, 2 R Kassidy Moore 2-4, 2B, RBI Tori Hedgecock 1-4, HR Avery Barton 1-4, HR, 2 RBI	Amira Rainer 2-3, 2B, 4 RBI Aleix Hudson 3-5, 2 RBI, 2 R Hannah Cochran 3-4, RBI Grace McKillop 3.2 IP, ER, 3 K

MU LEADERS VS. MOREHEAD ST.	MSU LEADERS VS. MERCER
Kassidy Moore 3-3, HR, 2 RBI, 3 R Alyssa Woods 3-4, 2 R Tori Hedgecock 1-4, GS Laura Vigna 1-2, 2 BB, R	Ilencia Lightbody 2-3 Sela Pickford 1-4, 2B, RBI Trinity Spear 1-4, 3B, R

UP NEXT
Mercer will close out its portion of round-robin tournament play at the Mercer Bear Invitational on Sunday via a mid-morning rematch with Bryant (5-2). First pitch is scheduled for 10 a.m. at Sikes Field.

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