Mercer softball dropped the Heart of Georgia Classic at Sikes Field on Friday against Saint Joseph's University to open the 2025 season, but rallied back in the next two games on Saturday to start the season 2-1. The three-day, four-game tournament includes contests against Austin Peay, Florida A&M and Saint Joseph's.
In the opening game, the Bears were held to just two hits in the game, both by catcher Sietske Drijvers '26. In five innings, Hannah Pitts '26 struck out six batters, surrendered no runs and allowed three hits.
On Saturday, the Bears beat Florida A&M, 4-2, and Austin Peay, 9-7. Tori Hedgecock '25, the SoCon Preseason Player of the Year, leads the team through three games in RBIs, walks and slugging percentage. Against Austin Peay, Hedgecock knocked in a grand slam during the sixth inning to put Mercer ahead for good.
Before the season, Head Coach Lindsay Fico made some additions to her coaching staff, including tabbing Devyn Flaherty and Kalei Harding as assistant coaches.
Both Flaherty and Harding come into the program with an impressive 224-54-1 overall record at Florida State University, including four NCAA Super Regionals appearances and two Women’s College World Series trips over four years.
"Devyn and Kalei will bring a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to our program," Fico said. "Their experience will, no doubt, make an immediate and positive impact. We are extremely fortunate to have them representing Mercer."
Fico also added four new players to the roster with Loreal Byrd '28, Cloe Pless '28, Cate Raines '28 and J’lyn Guyden '28 signing with the team in November.
"Our 2025 class is filled with tons of talent," Fico said in a press release at the time. "All four players have dominated in regional play, and all of them bring a wealth of championship experience. Their presence on the field will be felt almost immediately."
Despite their 23-30 season in 2024, the Bears registered the most conference wins in six seasons with 11. They also had the most home wins with 14 in 23 games.
Hedgecock and Grace Taylor '26 earned a spot on the Preseason All-SoCon team for 2025, with the Bears being predicted to finish in third place for the regular season.
Pariss Nicholson ‘26 is majoring in Journalism and minoring in Media Studies at Mercer University. She hopes to report or write for ESPN after she graduates. Outside of her studies, she likes to read and watch sports games in her room.
