Bears Tame the Tigers

In a thrilling finish on Wednesday, Mercy secured a 9-8 walk-off victory over Notre Dame Belmont, capping off an incredible comeback. With the game tied at eight in the bottom of the ninth, Andrea Martin '26 delivered the game-winning hit, singling in the winning run to seal the victory. The Bears showed resilience, battling back after falling behind 7-1 in the third inning. Notre Dame came out strong, scoring five runs in the first and adding two more in the third to build an early lead.

The Bears responded right away, highlighted by a solo home run to center field from Vivianna Reyes '28 in the bottom of the first. Mercy continued to chip away at the deficit, eventually tying the game in the seventh when Kathleen Graupera '27 lifted a sacrifice fly. After Notre Dame briefly regained the lead in the top of the ninth on a wild pitch, Mercy answered once again in dramatic fashion. Fatafehi Alusa '29 and Andrea Martin '29 came through with clutch singles to complete the comeback and walk it off. Olivia Eastburn '29 was outstanding in relief, throwing four innings and allowing just one unearned run while striking out nine without issuing a walk. Charlotte Kell '28 got the start in the circle, and the staff combined efforts to keep Mercy within reach for the late-game rally.