Indiana Uses Long Balls To Top Mercer

Saturday, March 16

Gainesville, Fla.

Noon

Mercer University

9-15

Indiana

22-4

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Indiana	4	0	5	0	0	0	0	9	9	0
Mercer	0	1	0	0	1	0	0	2	5	0

3/16/2024 2:12:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Box Score

By: Todd Anderson, anderson_t02@mercer.edu

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Red-hot Indiana hit four home runs, including a grand slam in the top of the first inning, to provide more than enough run support for starter Brianna Copeland as the Hoosiers completed a neutral site sweep of Mercer with a 9-2 victory over the Bears on Saturday at the University of Florida's Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

The setback marked the end of a nearly month-long road trip for the Bears (9-15) who will open up a four-game home stand on Wednesday against cross-state rival Georgia State at Sikes Field. It was the 12^th-straight win for the Hoosiers (22-4) who improved to 3-0 all-time in the series with the Orange & Black.

Freshman Gabby Ellis (1-4) took the loss for MU on Saturday. Shortstop Emma Dorval singled twice in three trips to the plate to pace the offense for Mercer.

GAME SUMMARY
FINAL	Indiana 9, Mercer 2
PITCHERS	WP: Heather Johnson (2-1) LP: Gabby Ellis (1-4)
RECORDS	Mercer (9-15); Indiana (22-4)

KEY INNINGS
TOP 1	The first two Hoosiers of the afternoon went down quietly, but Indiana used a single and a pair of free passes in its next three at-bats to load the bases for Sarah Stone who leaned into a 2-strike offering from Gabby Ellis and hit it over the wall in centerfield.

MU LEADERS	IU LEADERS
Emma Dorval 2-3 Alyssa Woods 1-4, RBI Tori Hedgecock 1-3, HBP, R Laura Vigna 0-1, 2 BB, R	Taylor Minnick 3-4, HR, 2 RBI Sarah Stone 2-4, GS, 6 RBI Avery Parker 1-1, BB, HR, 2 R Heather Johnson 5.0 IP, 4 H, 4 K

UP NEXT
The Bears will open up a four-game home stand on Wednesday when they lace up to tangle with cross-state rival Georgia State (8-15) at Sikes Field. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. and admission is free.

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