GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Grace Prom of Santa Fe Softball has committed to continue her academic and playing career with the Mercer Bears, reuniting with former Saints' Head Coach Lindsay Fico. 

The Mercer Bears compete in the NCAA Division I Southern Conference (SoCon), and played to a record of 24-23 (8-9 SoCon) in 2021. After three successful seasons at SF, Fico will be stepping into the role of former Head Coach Stephanie DeFeo, who stepped down after eight years as the winningest coach in program history.

Prom appeared in all 47 games for the Saints as a middle infielder in 2021, earning All Mid-Florida Conference First Team and FCSAA All-State Second Team honors. 

The Lake Mary, Fla. native and graduate of Hagerty High School excelled in the classroom and on the field. She claimed NJCAA All-Academic Third Team recognition while batting for a team-high average of .396 with 55 hits and 20 walks in 139 at-bats.

As a reliable presence and leader at the top of the lineup, she came around to score 33 runs and had 26 RBI, finishing with a team-high 17 doubles, a triple, and six home runs. Prom had a team-high on-base percentage of .523, a slugging percentage of .662, and concluded the season on a 12-game hitting streak to help the Saints make an appearance in the FCSAA State Tournament. 

Playing primarily as a shortstop, No. 16 posted a .911 fielding percentage on 124 total chances. Prom hit two home runs in the doubleheader at No. 16 Seminole State College on March 20, and had the 6-3 assist to record the final out in the Mid-Florida Conference Tournament Championship.

In 2020 as a freshman during a season cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Prom appeared in 30 games for the Saints and batted .345 with 29 hits in 84 at-bats. She came around to score 24 runs to go along with ten doubles, a triple, four home runs, and 26 RBI and held a .509 on-base percentage with a .631 slugging percentage. 

Prom is the fifth Saint to have announced her commitment to a four-year school following her career at SF. 

Current SF Softball Commitments to Four-Year Institutions

Grace Prom - Mercer

Neely Peterson - Florida Gulf Coast - Story

Gabrielle Mathre - Georgia Southwestern - Story

Cris'Deona Beasley - FAMU - Story

Ashlyn Rogers - Georgia Southwestern - Story