Junior Riley Nayadley (Ootltewah, Tenn.) led the ETSU softball team to a 5-0 road victory over Mercer with a stellar performance, including a career-high five RBIs.
Nayadley’s highlights included a three-run homer in the fifth inning and an RBI groundout in the first. Her efforts marked the first time since April of the previous year that a Buccaneer player achieved a 5-RBI game, a feat also accomplished by junior Sara Muir (Sequatchie, Tenn.) who pitched six scoreless innings of one-hit ball in her return to the diamond. Muir’s performance, along with Gabby Fowler’s inning of relief, secured the shutout win for ETSU.
The victory was significant for ETSU, as it marked their first Southern Conference series win since the previous May, with the team improving to 9-26 overall and 3-9 in conference play. The win margin of five runs was the largest for ETSU since defeating Tennessee Tech by eight runs the previous April.
ETSU’s offense was supported by strong performances from top hitters sophomore Brylee Mesusan (Johnson City, Tenn.), junior Cameron Young (Knoxville, Tenn.) and Nayadley, who combined for six hits, including a double and a home run, and four runs scored. Mesusan showcased her speed with two runs and two stolen bases in the game, bringing her season total to 16 steals.
Mercer, who had been tied atop the SoCon standings, was limited to just one hit by the ETSU pitching staff.
Grace Taylor took the loss for Mercer, allowing four runs on seven hits in 4.1 innings, while Hannah Pitts gave up Nayadley’s three-run homer.
Now ETSU travels to Cookeville for a midweek non-conference game against Tennessee Tech, first pitch is set for 6 p.m.
For more information about ETSU softball, visit ETSUBucs.com.
