Bears Go Splitsville On Day 1 Of MUSB Invitational II

Saturday, February 28

Macon, Ga.

3 p.m.

Mercer University

8-7

Columbia

1-10

Columbia

Mercer

Bears Go Splitsville On Day 1 Of MUSB Invitational II

2/28/2026 9:57:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Todd Anderson, anderson_t02@mercer.edu

MACON – The Mercer softball team rallied for a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to help support a phenomenal outing from sophomore right-hander Grace Jones as the Bears forged a split on opening-day action at the MUSB Invitational II with a 2-1 victory over Tennessee State in Saturday's nightcap.

The triumph snapped a five-game skid for the Bears (9-7) who will close out their third home tournament of the season with a pair of games on Sunday afternoon at Sikes Field. MU dropped a 5-3 heartbreaker to Columbia (1-10) in their Saturday opener in Macon.

SUMMARY
GAME 1 FINAL	Columbia 5, Mercer 3
PITCHERS	WP: Mads Lawson (1-4) LP: Grace Roark (2-3) Save: None

GAME 2 FINAL	Mercer 2, Tennessee State 1
PITCHERS	WP: Grace Jones (2-1) LP: Kristian Holder (0-4) Save: None

RECORDS	Mercer 9-7; Columbia 1-10; Tennessee State 0-8

KEY INNINGS (VS. COLUMBIA)
TOP 4	While already clutching tightly to a 2-1 lead, the Lions rallied for a trio of insurance runs in the fourth inning. Columbia put its first two hitters of the frame aboard via singles, and then pushed its lead out to 4-1 on Eleni Kastivalis's 2-run double to the gap in left field. Tatum Hubble's RBI single one pitch later plated Kastivalis from second base.

KEY INNINGS (VS. TENNESSEE STATE)
TOP 1	MU starter Grace Jones retired each of the first two batters she faced, but Tennessee State put its next two hitters aboard before using a 2-out run-scoring double from Jasmine Blackburn to take the early lead.
BOT 4	Grace Jones and Avery Barton both climbed aboard via free passes and moved into scoring position on Megan Loughren's foul out to the right side. That set the table for a game-tying fielder's choice RBI knock from Rachel Sysum, as well as a go-ahead RBI single from the bat of Cate Raines five pitches later.

MU LEADERS (GAME 1)	CU LEADERS (GAME 1)
Megan Loughren 2-2, BB, RBI Grace Jones 2-4 Avery Barton 1-4, 2B, 2 RBI Meredith Wayland 1-1, BB, 2 R	Eleni Katsivalis 2-4, 2 2B, 3 RBI Tatum Hubble 2-3, BB, RBI Kyra Mason 2-4, RBI Mads Lawson 7.0 IP, 3 R, 8 K

MU LEADERS (GAME 2)	TSU LEADERS (GAME 2)
Grace Jones 1-1, 2 BB, R Daniella Monaco 1-3 Meredith Wayland 1-3 Grace Jones 7.0 IP, 3 H, 6 K	Jasmine Blackburn 1-3, 2B, RBI Hailey Hunt 1-2, BB Kailyn Jean-Baptiste 1-2, BB Chelsi Ervin 3.0 IP, 2 H, 3 K

UP NEXT
The Bears will close out action at the MUSB Invitational II with a pair of games on Sunday afternoon at Sikes Field. Mercer will take on Presbyterian (10-6) in a 1 p.m. contest, before rematching with Tennessee State (0-8) at 3:30 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 email *maf@mercer.edu*.