Barton Named SoCon Player Of The Week

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – A fiery offensive performance that inevitably carried the Mercer softball team to a weekend series victory over visiting Bryant on Friday and Saturday at Sikes Field was handsomely rewarded on Monday afternoon when shortstop Avery Barton was crowned with Southern Conference Player of the Week laurels.

Barton, a senior from nearby Monticello, hit 7-for-9 (.778) in three starts over the weekend, while also tacking up three walks, six RBI and five runs scored. She compiled a .833 on-base percentage, reaching base safely in 10 of her 12 trips to the plate, while also putting together a 1.889 slugging percentage (2.722 OPS). Barton registered multiple hits in all three games, tallying a trio of RBI in both of the series bookends.

She keyed Friday evening's extra-innings win by going 3-for-4 with a walk, double, home run and a trio of RBI. She hit two home runs and drove in three in the finale as well, while also boasting a 2-for-2 hitting clip and a fifth-inning walk.

The Bears (12-13, 0-0 SoCon) will lift the lid on conference play this weekend when they suit up to take on league nemesis Samford (9-19, 0-0) in a three-game series at Sikes Field. The squads will open up the set with a 1 p.m. doubleheader on Saturday, and close out the series with a 1 p.m. single dip on Sunday. Admission is free.

Players Mentioned

Avery Barton

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