Pearland ISD Fourth Grader Places Third Nationally in MLB Pitch, Hit & Run Competition

Mersadys Merchant, a Massey Ranch Elementary fourth grader recently captured the hearts of her community and the nation as she competed in the Major League Baseball Pitch, Hit, and Run national finals during Game 2 of the World Series in Toronto, finishing third overall in her age group.

Mersadys, a determined softball player, earned her trip to the World Series by first winning her age division at the regional Pitch, Hit, and Run competition held at Daikin Park, representing the Houston Astros team championship. Her raw talent, discovered when she first expressed a simple desire to “hit softballs,” quickly set her apart.

However, Mersadys’s journey to the national finals is defined not only by her powerful swing but also by her strength off the field. Before finding her forever family, Mersadys was in the foster care system. Her parents, Jay and Krista Merchant, adopted her when she was nearly four years old, providing her with the stability and love that have been instrumental to her success.

“Just proud is really hard to describe when it comes to being her parents,” said Jay Merchant. “She just keeps doing great things, overcoming all the odds.”

Mersadys competed against the top young athletes in the country on the biggest stage in baseball, demonstrating her ability to perform under pressure. Her third-place finish nationally is a monumental accomplishment, but for her parents and the Pearland community, the victory is already complete.

She continues to Build Pearland Proud on the diamond, and surrounded by teammates and parents who are thrilled to cheer on her journey.