Mercer softball (18-18) pulled off an 8-5 win over Georgia Tech (19-13) in Atlanta on Tuesday, March 25, snapping a four-game home win streak for the Yellow Jackets and giving Mercer their first win over Tech since 2013.
The Bears were led by Sietske Drijvers ‘26, who went three-for-five on the night and drove in three runs. Hannah Rivers ‘28 also contributed, going two-for-four and scoring two runs. From the Mercer pitching squad, Grace Taylor ‘26 recorded her second save in a row, the first coming in a win against Samford University last Sunday.
The game started off strong for the Bears, as the offense started the top of the first inning earning a walk and a wild pitch from Tech, with a single from Grace Jones ‘28 bringing home Parris Wiggs ‘26. A single from Drivjers scored Tori Hedgecock ‘25, and a double by Madi Wicker ‘25 scored two and brought the Mercer lead to 4-0 before the end of the first frame. The Georgia Tech offense responded in the bottom of the first inning after consecutive pitching errors by Mercer and a double by Grace Connelly.
The Bears started off the second inning on another tear, again taking advantage of further pitching errors by Tech. Rivers scored off of a hit-by-pitch with the bases loaded.
The fourth inning saw back-to-back doubles by the Mercer duo of Wiggs and Drivjers, who extended the Bears' lead to four. The Jackets responded in the bottom of the frame with a double from Paige Vukadinovich, bringing Tech within three runs.
Mercer was able to grab an insurance run in the fifth off of another string of consecutive doubles, this time by Rivers and Hallie Langford ‘25. Georgia Tech nearly grabbed the lead back during a tough sixth inning for the Bears, which featured multiple sets of loaded bases. Hannah Pitts '26 was able to maneuver out of the loaded bases, allowing just one run in her relief pitching.
Mercer fell twice to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in the following series, and they head to Athens, Ga. on Wednesday to take on the University of Georgia.
Jacob Hossler '28 is majoring in Biology with a potential English minor. In his free time he enjoys photography, writing, and playing tennis and soccer.
