Rearley, Mercer Steamroll Fighting Illini In Nashville

Thursday, February 13

Nashville, Tenn.

6:30 p.m.

Mercer University

4-2

Illinois

2-5

Illinois

Mercer

Rearley, Mercer Steamroll Fighting Illini In Nashville

2/13/2025 11:43:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Box Score

By: Todd Anderson, anderson_t02@mercer.edu

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Freshman KiKi Daniels hit a go-ahead 3-run homer in the bottom of the first inning to help support junior Katheryn Rearley's first complete game of the season that led Mercer to a big 8-3 win over Big 10 foe Illinois on Thursday evening at the Tennessee State-hosted Roar City Invitational.

It was the fourth win in the last five outings for the Bears (4-2) who also registered their first win over a Power 5 opponent since posting a 2-1 triumph over Michigan State on Feb. 17, 2018, at the South Carolina-hosted Gamecock Invitational. It was Mercer's first win over Illinois (2-5) since March 23, 2002.

GAME SUMMARY
FINAL	Mercer 8, Illinois 3
PITCHERS	WP: Katheryn Rearley (1-1) LP: Karley Yergler (0-2)
RECORDS	Records: Mercer 4-2 (0-0 SoCon); Illinois 2-5 (0-0 Big 10)

KEY INNINGS
BOT 1	Grace Jones reached on a 1-out throwing error and Tori Hedgecock followed with a single to right field to set the table for KiKi Daniels who deposited a go-ahead homer to straightaway centerfield.
BOT 3	Tori Hedgecock reached base on a dropped third strike, and KiKi Daniels (single) and Sietske Drijvers (double) followed with base hits to give the Bears more than enough offense to fuel the final outcome.

MU LEADERS	UI LEADERS
KiKi Daniels 2-3, BB, HR, 4 RBI Laura Vigna 2-3, R Hallie Langford 1-3, RBI Katheryn Rearley CG, 2 K	Paige Berkmeyer 3-4, RBI Eileen Donahue 2-4, RBI Yazzy Avila 2-4 Ava Moore 1-2, 2B, R

UP NEXT
Mercer will close out its stay at the Roar City Invitational with a pair of games on Friday. The Bears are scheduled to take on Stony Brook (1-4) at 11 a.m. ET, and follow with a matchup against the host Tigers (2-4) at approximately 1 p.m.

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SUPPORT THE BEARS
Fans can help support the Mercer athletics department by making a gift to the Mercer Athletic Foundation. To find out more information about the Mercer Athletic Foundation, visit *S upportMAF.com* or email *maf@mercer.edu*.