Spartanburg, S.C. - The Wofford softball team (30-21, 11-8 SoCon) lost their opening game of the SoCon Tournament to Mercer 5-2 on Wednesday afternoon at Hope Field. The Wofford bats could not rally to overcome an early Mercer lead.  

Margaret Axelson got the start in the game and went four innings with three runs allowed on six hits. Natalya Salo took over and went 2.2 innings with one hit allowed on two runs given up. Salo also struck out three batters and walked three. Abby Greenwood came in to close the game out going the final third of an inning with one hit allowed.  

The Mercer Bears ambushed the Terriers in the first inning, scoring two quick runs on Margaret Axelson before she could settle into the game. In the third, Hope Ingle cut the lead in half with a sacrifice fly to put the score at 2-1. Mercer reestablished control of the game with one run in the fourth and then another in fifth to put the score at 4-1. The Terriers answered in the bottom of the sixth, as Kalli Petty hit a sacrifice fly to bring in pinch-runner Bergan Needles to make the score 4-2 heading into the seventh. The Mercer Bears again put the lead back up to three with an RBI single to bring the score to 5-2. Wofford was unable to conjure up the seventh inning magic they have had all season, putting the final score at 5-2.  

Wofford enters the loser's side of the bracket for the double-elimination SoCon Tournament. The Terriers return to action tomorrow, May 8, as they take on the loser of game six of the tournament between Samford and ETSU. First pitch at Hope Field is slated for 7 p.m.