Bears, Samford Split Series-Opening Doubleheader

Saturday, March 21

Macon, Ga.

1 p.m.

Mercer University

13-13

Samford

9-21

Samford

Mercer

Bears, Samford Split Series-Opening Doubleheader

3/21/2026 8:01:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Todd Anderson, anderson_t02@mercer.edu

MACON – Olivia Lenzen's go-ahead homer with one out in the fifth inning fueled the Mercer softball team to a 6-4 win in the opener, but visiting Samford erupted for 17 hits on the way to an abbreviated 15-1 win in the nightcap that forged a series-opening doubleheader split with the Bears on Saturday at Sikes Field.

The Bears (13-14, 1-1 SoCon) stretched their win streak over the Bulldogs (10-21, 1-1) out to three games – its longest series winning skein in more than a decade, with the Game 1 win. Samford used the Game 2 decision to not only snap its nine-game losing streak, but also to pick up its first road win of the campaign as well.

SUMMARY
GAME 1 FINAL	Mercer 6, Samford 4
PITCHERS	WP: Grace Jones (3-2) LP: Olivia Treece (1-4) Save: Katheryn Rearley (1)

GAME 2 FINAL	Samford 15, Mercer 1 (5 Innings)
PITCHERS	WP: Sara Bond (2-3) LP: Grace McKillop (4-2) Save: None

RECORDS	Mercer 13-14 (1-1 SoCon); Samford 10-21 (1-1 SoCon)

KEY INNINGS (GAME 1)
TOP 5	Samford loaded the bases with its first four at-bats of the fifth, and eventually knotted the game up at four apiece when pinch hitter Brantley Drake drew a 5-pitch walk that forced a run across home plate.
BOT 5	Daniella Monaco singled to lead off the frame and used a stolen base three pitches later to move into scoring position. That set the table for Olivia Lenzen's full-count home run that sailed well over the wall in centerfield.

KEY INNINGS (GAME 2)
TOP 2	Samford loaded the bases with its first four at-bats, but it was a costly two-out error that was the difference in the frame. The Bulldogs followed the errant throw with four hits and a free pass that ultimately led to seven unearned runs in the inning.

MU LEADERS (GAME 1)	SU LEADERS (GAME 1)
Rachel Sysum 2-2, BB, 2 RBI Daniella Monaco 2-3, 2 R Olivia Lenzen 1-2, HR, 2 RBI Katheryn Rearley 2.0 IP, 0 H	Olivia Shaw 1-3, BB, 2B, R Joi Hubbard 1-3, HBP, 2 R Katie Campbell 1-3, BB Sara Bond 1.2 IP, H, 2 K

MU LEADERS (GAME 2)	SU LEADERS (GAME 2)
Avery Barton 2-3, R Grace Jones 2-2, 2B Isabel Fernandez 1-2	Brooke Wildes 3-4, R Olivia Shaw 2-3, BB, 2B, HR, 3 RBI Joi Hubbard 2-4, 3 RBI Katie Campbell 2-3, BB, R

UP NEXT
The Bears will battle visiting Samford in the series rubber game on Sunday at Sikes Field. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. and admission is free.

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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*.