Mercer University
19-27, 7-11
Western Carolina
33-19, 12-6
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercer | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 16 | 17 | 0 |
| Western Carolina | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 20 | 4 |
Bears Club Their Way To Series Win At Western Carolina
4/25/2026 2:01:00 PM | Softball
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The Bears (19-27, 7-11 SoCon) got multiple hits from three different players, including freshman Rachel Sysum's 5-for-5 hitting line, and logged six extra-base hits, including a quartet of home runs. It was just the second Southern Conference series loss of the season for Western Carolina (33-19, 12-6) who matches a season high with 20 base hits, including five long balls.
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| Â Â GAME SUMMARY | |
| FINAL | Mercer 16, Western Carolina 11 |
| PITCHERS | WP: Madison Starr (2-3) LP: Briony Bunsic (7-4) Save: Katheryn Rearley (2) |
| RECORDS | Mercer 19-27 (7-11 SoCon); Western Carolina 33-19 (12-6 SoCon) |
| Â Â KEY INNINGS | |
| TOP 1 | Mercer used two singles and an error to load the bases with its first three-bats, and then took the lead for good when Grace Jones knocked in a pair of scores. Avery Barton's 3-run bomb seven pitches later pushed the lead out to 5-0, and Ashlyn Ullman snapped the lid on the scoring outburst with a 1-out RBI double later in the frame. |
| TOP 5 | Rachel Sysum and Ashlyn Ullman both singled to lead off the inning and set the table for a 3-run home run from Isabel Fernandez that gave the visitors an 11-4 cushion, but MU was not done. Mariyah Sanchez (walk) and Megan Loughren (single) both climbed aboard with one out showing before Olivia Lenzen's 3-run homer gave the Bears a 14-4 lead. |
| Â Â MER LEADERS | WCULEADERS |
| Rachel Sysum 5-5, 2B, 4 R Ashlyn Ullman 3-4, 2B, HR, 3 RBI Olivia Lenzen 3-5, HR, 3 RBI Isabel Fernandez 1-3, BB, HR, 3 RBI |
Lily Bell 4-4, BB, 2 R Tate Stewman 3-5, HR, 3 RBI Taylor Waitley 3-5, HR, 2 RBI Maya McPherson 3-5, HR, 2 R |
| Â Â UP NEXT | |
| Mercer will cap the regular season portion of its 2026 schedule on Saturday and Sunday, May 2-3, when the Bears suit up to host a weekend set with Southern Conference rival East Tennessee State (18-26, 6-12) at Sikes Field. | |
| Â Â STAY CONNECTED | |
| Follow Mercer Softball on Twitter and Instagram and "Like" Mercer Softball on Facebook. | |
| Â Â 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. | |
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Starr, Madison (2-3)
L: Briony Bunsic (7-4)
S: Rearley, Katheryn (2)
Batting:
2B: Sysum, Rachel 1 ; Ullman, Ashlyn 1
HR: Lenzen, Olivia 1 ; Barton, Avery 1 ; Ullman, Ashlyn 1 ; Fernandez, Isabel 1
RBI: Lenzen, Olivia 3 ; Jones, Grace 2 ; Barton, Avery 3 ; Sysum, Rachel 1 ; Ullman, Ashlyn 3 ; Fernandez, Isabel 3 ; Wayland, Meredith 1
SH: Loughren, Megan 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Sanchez, Mariyah 2 ; Loughren, Megan 2 ; Lenzen, Olivia 2 ; Jones, Grace 1 ; Barton, Avery 2 ; Sysum, Rachel 4 ; Ullman, Ashlyn 2 ; Fernandez, Isabel 1
SB: Wayland, Meredith 1
HBP: Ullman, Ashlyn 1
Batting:
HR: Taylor Waitley 1 ; Maya McPherson 1 ; Tate Stewman 1 ; Becka Wonsick 1 ; AG Batson 1
RBI: Lily Bell 1 ; Taylor Waitley 2 ; Sydney Dirks 1 ; Maya McPherson 1 ; Tate Stewman 3 ; Becka Wonsick 1 ; AG Batson 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Lily Bell 2 ; Taylor Waitley 1 ; Sydney Dirks 1 ; Maya McPherson 2 ; Tate Stewman 1 ; Becka Wonsick 1 ; Rylee Butler 1 ; Courtney Marks 1 ; AG Batson 1
