Bears Get Rematch Wednesday At Georgia State

MACON – The Mercer softball team will close out a 12-game stretch away from home on Wednesday when the Bears pack up their show and head to Atlanta for a rematch with in-state rival Georgia State at the Bob Heck Softball Complex. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m.

Fans unable to make the trip to the Capital City can still follow the game in progress for free via a live statistics link provided by the GSU athletics department.

Sporting its first winning record through 25 games since the 2018 season, Mercer (13-12) is fresh from a 5-win Spring Break swing through the Sunshine State that was culminated with a 5-1 triumph at 20-win North Florida on Saturday evening. MU played error-free ball behind a dominant outing from right-hander Hannah Pitts in that outing, and then used a late offensive surge to fuel the final outcome.

The Bears lead the 8-team Southern Conference and rank 32^nd, nationally, in doubles per game (1.68) and have tacked up seven or more hits in 10 outings already this season, including five double-digit hit attacks. Senior Tori Hedgecock leads the way for the Orange & Black with a .418 batting average that complements 14 extra-base hits (6 HR) and 23 RBI, while junior Hallie Langford sports a .355 batting clip, including a 21-for-48 (.438) run over her last 16 starts.

Mercer has continued to be efficient from the circle by holding opponents to a .283 batting clip while walking just 63 batters in 159 innings pitched. Three hurlers – junior Hannah Pitts and sophomores Gabby Ellis and Grace Roar – have notched a staff-best 11 appearances, with Pitts and Ellis showing earned run averages below the 3,00 plateau. Pitts, who got the complete game win in Saturday's rattling of North Florida, has struck out 34 batters in 41-2/3 innings of work while limiting opponents to a .203 success rate.

SERIES HISTORY

Georgia State leads the all-time series, 56-21, including a 7-5 win over the Bears in mid-February at Sikes Field. Mercer has taken five of the last seven matchups, including a 10-2 mercy rule victory last season in Atlanta.

SCOUTING GEORGIA STATE

The Panthers (8-17) have dropped eight of their last 12 contests, but have toughed out victories over both Memphis and Western Carolina over that span. GSU has tacked up just 2.5 runs an outing through 25 games, but has already drawn 22 free passes (23^rd NCAA) via the bean ball this season. Junior Maia Mumpfield leads the Panthers offense with a .417 batting average, and has put up the best power numbers in GSU's batting order this year as well.

Georgia State has compiled a 5.02 team ERA from the circle and ranks 46^th, nationally, with 6.2 strikeouts per 7 innings. Emily Hodnett (2-3, 4.12 ERA) has logged a staff-best 15 appearances, but fellow senior Sydney Boulware (2-6, 3.66) has carried a bulk of the load with a team-best 49-2/3 innings pitched.

UP NEXT FOR THE BEARS

Mercer will make a long-awaited home appearance this weekend to take on Binghamton (12-8) in a three-game series at Sikes Field. The squads will open up the set with a doubleheader on Friday at 4 p.m., and close out the weekend with a single dip on Saturday at noon.

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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.

Players Mentioned

Gabby Ellis

Tori Hedgecock

Hallie Langford

Hannah Pitts

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