Mercer softball set for first NCAA Tournament appearance

The Mercer softball team made history on Saturday, winning the Southern Conference tournament title for the first time, and it will make more history on Friday. That's when the Bears will play in the NCAA Tournament for the first time.

Mercer (38-24) will face off with No. 3 Florida (43-14) in the Gainesville Regional at 4:30 p.m. on Friday. Georgia Tech (27-22) is also in the Gainesville Regional and will open against Florida Atlantic (44-10) at 7 p.m. on Friday.

Georgia (31-20) reached the NCAA Tournament as well and will open against Coastal Carolina (41-17) at 2:30 p.m. on Friday in the Durham Regional. No. 14 Duke (38-16) will face Howard (31-18) in the first round in the regional's other matchup.

The winner of the Gainesville Regional and the winner of the Durham Regional will meet in the Super Regional round. The winner of that Super Regional will advance to the Women's College World Series.

Mercer won seven games in the SoCon tournament and has won 19 of its past 22 games. The tournament title was the first in program history in its 40 years.

Mercer coach Lindsay Fico, who was hired in 2021, will compete against her alma mater on Friday. She made four appearances in the NCAA Tournament with the Gators from 2003 to 2006.