Samford Uses Late Homers To Nab Series With Mercer

Sunday, March 22

Macon, Ga.

1 p.m.

Mercer University

13-15

Samford

11-21

Samford

Mercer

Samford Uses Late Homers To Nab Series With Mercer

3/22/2026 4:05:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

By: Todd Anderson, anderson_t02@mercer.edu

MACON – Senior Avery Barton's leadoff homer in the bottom of the first gave Mercer a lead that would last a majority of the afternoon, but visiting Samford hit a pair of 2-run homers with two outs in the top of the sixth inning to claim a 4-1 victory in the weekend rubber game on Sunday at Sikes Field.

The setback finished off a six-game home stand for the Bears (12-14, 0-2 SoCon) who will head to Athens, Ga., on Wednesday for a midweek tilt with 19^th-ranked Georgia. The triumph helped Samford (11-21, 2-1) claim a regular season series win over the Orange & Black for the sixth-straight year.

GAME SUMMARY
FINAL	Samford 4, Mercer 1
PITCHERS	WP: Brandy Phillips (2-6) LP: Katheryn Rearley (3-3) Save: None
RECORDS	Records: Mercer 12-14 (1-2 SoCon); Samford 11-21 (2-1 SoCon)

KEY INNINGS
BOT 1	Avery Barton hammered a two-strike offering from Samford starter Brandy Phillips deep over the centerfield wall to give the Bears an early lead.
TOP 6	Addison Smith absorbed a 2-out bean ball to open up a rally for the visitors. Ella Nelson followed with a 2-run homer to give the Bulldogs the lead for good, but Samford added a pair of insurance runs two batters later on a 2-run blast from Joi Hubbard.

MER LEADERS	SU LEADERS
Avery Barton 1-2, BB, HR Rachel Sysum 1-3 Cate Raines 0-2, HBP	Joi Hubbard 3-4, HR, 2 RBI Ella Nelson 2-3, HR, 2 RBI Olivia Shaw 1-4, 2B Brandy Phillips CG, 2 H, 6 K

UP NEXT
The Bears will head to Athens, Ga., on Wednesday for a midweek tilt at 19^th-ranked Georgia (22-8). First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Jack Turner Stadium.

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