Bears Succumb To Michigan State, NC State In Raleigh

Friday, March 6

Raleigh, N.C.

1 p.m.

Mercer University

10-9

Michigan State

12-10

Michigan State

Mercer

Bears Succumb To Michigan State, NC State In Raleigh

3/6/2026 9:32:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Todd Anderson, anderson_t02@mercer.edu

RALEIGH, N.C. – A 2-run homer from Grace Jones gave the Mercer softball team a first-inning lead in its early matchup with Michigan State, but the Bears were unable to generate any more runs the rest of the way out on the way to abbreviated losses to the Spartans and NC State on Saturday at the Wolfpack-hosted The Marucci Classic.

The setbacks marked the fifth- and sixth-straight losses away from home this season for the Bears (10-10) who will close out their stay in Raleigh on Saturday with a matchup against Stetson (14-9) as well as a rematch with the host Wolfpack (17-7).

SUMMARY
GAME 1 FINAL	Michigan State 11, Mercer 2 (6 Innings)
PITCHERS	WP: Jacey Schuler (3-2) LP: Katheryn Rearley (2-2) Save: None

GAME 2 FINAL	NC State 8, Mercer 0 (5 Inninings)
PITCHERS	WP: Morgen Talley (7-1) LP: Grace Roark (2-4) Save: None

RECORDS	Mercer 10-10; Michigan State 12-10; NC State 17-7

KEY INNINGS (VS. MICHIGAN STATE)
TOP 2	Staring at a 2-0 deficit to start the frame, Michigan State rallied for four runs on as many hits to storm ahead for good. Sydney Doloszycki doubled in Hannah Greer to start the rally, and Britain Beshears laced a RBI single into centerfield to tie the game. The Spartans loaded the bases two at-bats later to set the table for a 2-out, 2-run double from Kendall Smiley that gave MSU a 4-2 advantage.

KEY INNINGS (VS. NCSTATE)
BOT 1	NC State loaded the bases with their first four at-bats, but MU starter Grace Roark limited the damage to just one run as the Wolfpack mustered just a 1-out RBI single through the left side.

MU LEADERS (GAME 1)	MSU LEADERS (GAME 1)
Grace Jones 2-3, 2B, HR, 2 RBI Daniella Monaco 2-3, R Megan Loughren 1-3 Rachel Sysum 1-2	Sydney Doloszycki 2-4, 2B, HR, 4 RBI Kirsten Karavaca 2-3, BB, 2 R Hannah Greer 1-1, 3 BB, 3 R Payton Conroy 1-4, 2B, 3 RBI

MU LEADERS (GAME 2)	NCS LEADERS (GAME 2)
Avery Barton 1-2 Olivia Lenzen 1-2 Meredith Wayland 0-1, BB	Carly Short 3-3, BB, 3B, 3 R Taryn Massey 2-3, 2 RBI Hannah Church 2-3, BB, 2 RBI Morgen Talley 5.0 IP, 2 H, 6 K

UP NEXT
The Bears will play two more games at The Marucci Classic on Saturday beginning with a 12:30 p.m. tilt against Stetson (14-9) at Dail Softball Stadium. Mercer will close out its stay in Raleigh, N.C., at 3 p.m. against NC State on ESPN+.

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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*.