Saluki softball tops Mercer 6-1

The Saluki softball team got off to a good start in the Gamecock Invitational Friday afternoon, handing the Mercer Bears (4-1) the first loss of the season.

Sophomore catcher Katelyn Massa got things going for SIU in the top of the first inning, as she blasted a solo home run.

Massa finished 2-3 with two RBI and worked a walk in the game.

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In the second inning, freshman center fielder Jenny Jansen belted another solo shot for SIU. Later in the inning, sophomore right fielder Susie Baranski scored senior shortstop Savannah Fisher on a sacrifice fly.

The lead continued to grow in the top of the third inning when junior first baseman Kyleigh Decker hit a two-run homer that pushed the lead to 5-0.

Junior pitcher Briana Jones allowed her only run in the bottom of the third after an RBI single. Jones pitched a complete game with one walk and a season-high of 10 strikeouts.

Massa delivered another RBI double in the fourth, which scored sophomore second baseman Maddy Vermejan. Vermejan went 1-3 from the plate and was hit by a pitch in the game.

Southern (3-2) continues play in the Gamecock Invitational with a doubleheader on Saturday. SIU will face Georgetown at 2 p.m. and South Carolina at 4:30 p.m.

Sports writer Ryan Demer can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @RyanDemer_DE 

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