Mercer tests positive for COVID; back-to-back doubleheaders on deck (Updated)

Indiana announced Friday that baseball coach Jeff Mercer has tested positive for COVID-19, forcing a shuffling of this weekend’s series against Penn State in Bloomington.

Mercer’s result was discovered through an antigen test on Friday morning. After it was confirmed by a PCR test, IU and Penn State agreed to postpone Friday’s doubleheader so that the Hoosiers’ players and staff could undergo further testing.

“This morning I tested positive for COVID-19,” Mercer said in a statement. “I’m experiencing minor symptoms and will now enter my 10-day isolation period. I look forward to communicating with the team during my absence and rejoining the team when it’s safe to do so.”

IU announced on Friday night that the teams will now play doubleheaders on Saturday and Sunday. The twinbills will feature a seven-inning opener, followed by a nine-inning capper.

At CQ, we send our best wishes to Mercer on a full and speedy recovery.