Mercer wins its third game of the SoCon Tournament over ETSU; UNCG tops Wofford to end the day

No. 5 Mercer 11, No. 7 ETSU 3
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – No. 5 seed Mercer cruised to a 11-3 victory over No. 7 seed ETSU during the third game of the day at the 2025 SoCon Softball Championship presented by One Spartanburg at Hope Field on Thursday.

Mercer (34-24) advances to Friday’s 1 p.m. game against either No. 2 seed UNCG or No. 4 seed UNCG. ETSU ends its season at 18-37.

The Bears got their bats going early, scoring four runs in the opening inning. The first run was off a RBI single from Grace Jones. Hannah Rivers followed that with a RBI single of her own. KiKi Daniels hit a two-RBI triple two batters later, bringing Jones and Rivers across home plate.

ETSU scored the next run of the contest in the top of the third inning. Cameron Young hit a RBI single, bringing Leinani Lutu in to score.

In the bottom of the third, Rivers lead off the frame with a solo home run. Following a single by Sydney Harris, Daniels hit a two-run blast to center field, moving the Bears ahead 7-1.

The next two batters drew walks, setting the stage for a three-run homer from first-team all-conference selection Hallie Langford. One inning later, Daniels hit her second home run of the day, this one coming as a solo shot to make the score 11-1 in favor of Mercer.

The Buccaneers scored their final two runs of the game in the fifth frame. Sara Muir and Taylor Suchy hit RBI singles, scoring Nayana DeAmelia and Riley Nayadley, respectively. Mercer would eventually get out of the inning up 11-3, ending the game in the fifth.

Gabby Ellis (10-5) went the distance inside the circle for the Bears, finishing with two strikeouts. Langford, Jones and Daniels all had multiple hits, and two runs scored.

Young and Lutu both had two hits for ETSU.

No. 2 UNCG 3, No. 4 Wofford 1
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – No. 2 seed UNCG took down No. 4 seed Wofford, 3-1, in the final game of day two at the 2025 SoCon Softball Championship presented by One Spartanburg at Hope Field on Thursday.

UNCG (39-17) will now play in Friday’s 1 p.m. game versus No. 5 Mercer, which will be an elimination game. Wofford ends its season at 30-22.

After three scoreless innings to begin the game, UNCG broke through in the bottom of the fourth inning. First-team all-conference performers Grace Loftin and Jorde Chartrand reached base via error and a single, respectively. SoCon Freshman of the Year Macy Michael delivered a two-run double on the next at-bat, putting the Spartans up 2-0.

UNCG would get its final run in the seventh inning. The Spartans used small ball to place runners on second and third with two outs. Hadley Gardner then singled up the middle, scoring Michael before the second runner was thrown out at home plate, ending the inning with UNCG up 3-0.

In the seventh inning, Wofford loaded the bases with zero outs on two singles and a hit by pitch. After the Spartans picked up an out at home on a fielder’s choice, Hope Ingle hit a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Kaytlin Greenwood from third base. With the tying run at the plate, Wofford was unable to score another run after a fly out to right field ended the contest.

UNCG’s Salem Ward (15-6) picked up the win after throwing 4.2 innings. Chartrand got her fourth save of the season, tossing the final 2.1 innings for the Spartans. Michael went 1-for-2 with a walk, a run scored and two RBIs to lead UNCG at the plate.

Wofford’s Abby Greenwood pitched a complete game for the Terriers, striking out five batters and surrendering just two earned runs.
 
2025 SoCon Softball Championship
Spartanburg, S.C.
Wednesday, May 7
Game 1: No. 5 Mercer 11, No. 8 Furman 7
Game 2: No. 7 ETSU 12, No. 6 Western Carolina 9
Game 3: No. 5 Mercer 5, No. 4 Wofford 2
Game 4: No. 3 Samford 7, No. 7 ETSU 6

 
Thursday, May 8
Game 5: No. 1 Chattanooga 8, No. 5 Mercer 7 (9 innings)
Game 6: No. 3 Samford 5, No. 2 UNCG 4
Game 7: No. 5 Mercer 11, No. 7 ETSU 3
Game 8: No. 2 UNCG 3, No. 4 Wofford 1
 
Friday, May 9
Game 9: No. 1 Chattanooga vs. No. 3 Samford, 10 a.m.
Game 10: No. 5 Mercer vs. No. 2 UNCG, 1 p.m.
Game 11: Game 10 winner vs. Game 9 loser, 4 p.m.

Saturday, May 10
Game 12: Game 9 winner vs. Game 11 winner, 1 p.m.
Game 13 (if necessary): Game 12 winner vs. Game 12 loser, 4 p.m.