Bears Roll Past Wofford In SoCon Opener

Saturday, March 23

Macon, Ga.

6 p.m.

Mercer University

11-15, 1-0

Wofford

10-11, 0-1

Wofford

Mercer

3/23/2024 8:46:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Box Score Photo Gallery

By: Todd Anderson, anderson_t02@mercer.edu

MACON – Home-standing Mercer tacked up 15 hits, including four of the extra-base variety, and scored 10 times behind a complete game outing from sophomore Grace Taylor to cruise past visiting Wofford, 10-2, in the Southern Conference opener for both teams on Saturday evening at Sikes Field.

The result marked the eighth home win of the season for the Bears (11-15, 1-0 SoCon) who have now tallied consecutive mercy-rule wins for the first time since routing Western Illinois and Middle Tennessee in back-to-back games on March 20, 2021. It was the fourth-straight loss for the Terriers (10-11, 0-1) who fell to 2-5 in true road games this season.

Sophomore Grace Taylor (5-5) had her bid for a no-hitter spoiled on a leadoff single in the fifth, but she still picked up the win by scattering three hits and a pair of unearned runs across her fifth complete game of the campaign. She also struck out a pair of Terriers.

Mercer got multi-hit nights from a trio of players, including a perfect 4-for-4 night from senior Alyssa Woods who crossed the plate three times as well. Tori Hedgecock (2-for-3) turned in her SoCon-leading 12^th homer of the campaign as well.

GAME SUMMARY
FINAL	Mercer 10, Wofford 2 (6 Innings)
PITCHERS	WP: Grace Taylor (5-5) LP: Margaret Axelson (1-3)
RECORDS	Mercer (11-15, 1-0 SoCon); Wofford (10-11, 0-1 SoCon)

KEY INNINGS
BOT 1	Mercer plated runs in four different frames, including 4-spots in the fourth and sixth innings, but took the lead for good in the home half of the first. Alyssa Woods moved into scoring position with a leadoff single and an ensuing passed ball, then gave the hosts the lead when she scampered home on a RBI double from Tori Hedgecock.

MU LEADERS	WC LEADERS
Alyssa Woods 4-4, 3 R Tori Hedgecock 2-3, 2B, HR, 3 RBI Emma Dorval 2-3, 2B, 2 RBI Grace Taylor 6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 2 K	Abbi Campbell 1-3, RBI Kaytlin Greenwood 1-3, R Kate Platte 1-1

UP NEXT
Mercer will close out its weekend series against Wofford with a doubleheader on Sunday at Sikes Field. First pitch of the twinbill is slated for 1 p.m. and admission is free.

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