Bears Fall To No. 3 Florida In NCAA Postseason Debut

Friday, May 16

Gainesville, Fla.

4:30 p.m.

Mercer University

38-25

#3 Florida

44-10

Mercer

Florida

Bears Fall To No. 3 Florida In NCAA Postseason Debut

5/16/2025 8:15:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

By: Todd Anderson, anderson_t02@mercer.edu

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Third-ranked Florida broke open a scoreless game with five runs in the bottom of the third inning to fuel an abbreviated 8-0 win over visiting Mercer in the NCAA postseason opener for both teams on Friday at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

It was just the fourth loss in the last 23 outings for Mercer (38-25) who will face Georgia Tech (27-23) in an elimination game on Saturday afternoon. Florida (44-14), the No. 3 National Seed advances to a winner's bracket matchup with Florida Atlantic at high noon on Saturday.

Starter Hannah Pitts (7-9) yielded four hits and as many earned runs in 2-1/3 innings of work to take the loss for the Orange & Black. Right-handers Grace Taylor and Gabby Pitts also put in work from the circle, but neither were awarded a decision.

GAME SUMMARY
FINAL	Florida 8, Mercer 0 (5 Innings)
PITCHERS	WP: Ava Brown 11-3 LP: Hannah Pitts (7-9)
RECORDS	Records: Mercer 38-25; Florida 44-14

KEY INNINGS
BOT 3	Kendra Falby drew a walk to lead off the frame, and Taylor Shumaker broke the scoreless deadlock in the ensuing at-bat when she hit a 2-run blast to centerfield. Jocelyn Erickson followed with a single to right field, and Mia Williams made it a 3-0 game two batters later on a 1-out double down the left field line. Kenleigh Cahalan and Rylee Holtorf hit consecutive 2-out RBI knocks later in the frame to complete the scoring.

MER LEADERS	UF LEADERS
Parris Wiggs 2-2, BB Tori Hedgecock 1-3 KiKi Daniels 0-1, BB	Mia Williams 2-2, 2 2B, 3 RBI Taylor Shumaker 1-3, BB, HR, 2 RBI Jocelyn Erickson 2-3, BB, RBI Kenleigh Cahalan 1-2, BB, 2B, RBI

UP NEXT
Mercer will lock horns with in-state nemesis Georgia Tech (27-23) in an elimination game on Saturday at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.

STAY CONNECTED
Follow Mercer Softball on Twitter and Instagram and "Like" Mercer Football on Facebook.

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, email *maf@mercer.edu*.