MACON, Ga. – The Georgia Southern softball team dropped its first midweek contest of the season, 4-2, to Mercer on Tuesday at Sikes Field. 

Georgia Southern (8-6) left eight runners on base and was 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position as the offense tallied just six hits on the night and produced just two runs. 

Mercer (8-6) got on the board first in the bottom of the opening frame to take an early 2-0 lead. The Eagles responded in the second as Kyla Maxwell recorded her second RBI of the season to score Faith Barth on a sacrifice fly, making it 2-1. 

Bailey Holland held the Bears scoreless through the fifth inning as Kayla Christensen came in clutch in the sixth recording an RBI double to knot things up 2-2. The Bears would respond in the bottom half of the inning to take the lead on a two-run home run to left center. 

The Eagles looked to score in the seventh with back-to-back walks to lead off the inning but a double play and strikeout ended the threat. 

Valerie Combs led the offense going 2-for-3 with two doubles for her fourth multi-hit performance of the season. Faith Barth extended her hitting streak to seven games and Payton Cushman now has a six game hitting streak. Cushman has reached base in her last 12 games. 

Holland (2-2) tossed 5.1 innings allowing four runs on seven hits and picked up two strikeouts. 

Next Up 
The Eagles are back on the road at the UCF Charge On Classic in Orlando Friday through Sunday. Southern is scheduled to play George Mason at 9 a.m. followed by North Florida at 11:30 a.m. at UCF Softball Complex. All five games are scheduled to be broadcast on ESPN+.