Mercer Wins One, Loses One On Final Day Of MUSB Invitational II

Sunday, March 1

Macon, Ga.

1 p.m.

Mercer University

9-8

Presbyterian

11-7

Presbyterian

Mercer

Mercer Wins One, Loses One On Final Day Of MUSB Invitational II

3/1/2026 7:14:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Todd Anderson, anderson_t02@mercer.edu

MACON – Freshman Cate Raines hit a game-tying RBI single in the fourth to kickstart a three-run rally that helped Mercer take the lead for good as the Bears finished off a 5-4 win over Tennessee State to forge a final-day split on Sunday at the MUSB Invitational II.

Mercer (10-8) finished its rain-shortened tournament with a 2-2 record, including an abbreviated setback to Presbyterian earlier Sunday. Senior Katheryn Rearley struck out five and allowed just a lone earned run in a clutch relief performance in the win over Tennessee State.

SUMMARY
GAME 1 FINAL	Presbyterian 12, Mercer 2 (5 Innings)
PITCHERS	WP: Avery Robinson (5-2) LP: Madison Starr (1-2) Save: None

GAME 2 FINAL	Mercer 5, Tennessee State 4
PITCHERS	WP: Katheryn Rearley (2-1) LP: Miriam Gordon (0-1) Save: None

RECORDS	Mercer 10-8; Presbyterian 11-7; Tennessee State 0-10

KEY INNINGS (VS. PRESBYTERIAN)
TOP 1	The Blue Hose plated a pair of runs on two hits, a pair of free passes and a costly error to take the lead for good. Presbyterian loaded the bases with its first four at-bats, then pushed across both of its runs on fielder's choice RBI knock from Morgan Farthing, as well as a concurrent throwing error.

KEY INNINGS (VS. TENNESSEE STATE)
TOP 4	Tennessee State got a pair of runners into scoring position with just one out, and then retook the lead, 3-2, on a RBI single through the right side off of the bat of Dani James.
BOT 4	Mercer loaded the bases with its first three at-bats, and knotted the score back up when Cate Raines laced a 2-ball offering from TSU starter Kristian Holder through the right side of the infield. A double play moments later brought the go-ahead run across home plate, but MU added an insurance score on Isabel Fernandez's 2-out RBI single that plated Daniella Monaco from third base.

MU LEADERS (GAME 1)	PC LEADERS (GAME 1)
Avery Barton 1-2, BB, 2B, RBI Cate Raines 1-2, RBI Megan Loughren 1-3	Hali Duke 2-3, BB, 3 R Audrey Burton 2-3, 3 RBI Blair Darby 1-1, 2 HBP, 3 RBI, 2 R Avery Robinson 5.0 IP, 3 H, 3 K

MU LEADERS (GAME 2)	TSU LEADERS (GAME 2)
Kyra Taylor 2-3, HBP, R Alexis Woods 1-2, BB, RBI Kailyn Jean-Baptiste 2-4 Mariyah Brown 1-4, RBI	Isabel Fernandez 3-3, RBI, 3 SB Olivia Lenzen 2-2, R Cate Raines 1-3, RBI Katheryn Rearley 3.1 IP, R, 5 K

UP NEXT
The Bears will take part in their final early-season tournament next weekend, March 6-8, when they head to Raleigh, N.C., for the NC State-hosted The Marucci Classic. Mercer is scheduled for a pair of games with both the Wolfpack (13-7) and Michigan State (10-9), as well as a Sunday tilt with Stetson (14-6).

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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*.