2026
Mercado played in 44 games as a pinch runner during her freshman season … scored 16 runs … was 3-for-3 on stolen base attempts … did not record a plate appearance … appeared in one game as a defensive substitute in right field against Auburn, recording two putouts and one error (Feb. 19).
High School
Mercado was a four-year letterwinner at Bishop O’Dowd High School (Oakland, Calif.) … as a senior in 2025, recorded a .458 batting average (33-for-72), .667 slugging percentage, .571 on-base percentage, 14 RBIs, 39 runs scored, one home run, eight doubles, two triples and 31 stolen bases over 24 games … as a junior in 2024, recorded a .382 batting average (21-for-55), .545 slugging percentage, .470 on-base percentage, seven RBIs, 21 runs scored, one home run, six doubles and 12 stolen bases … two-time All-West Alameda County Conference (WACC) First Team recipient in 2024 and 2025 … coached by Bishop O’Dowd’s Cody Strub … played travel ball for Warrior Academy under coach Ray McDonald.
Personal
Born Jaella Ann Closa Mercado in San Ramon, Calif. … parents are Elizabeth Closa and Julius Mercado … chose UCLA for its “balance of rigorous academics and elite athletics” … favorite professional sports teams are the Golden State Warriors, San Francisco 49ers and San Francisco Giants … athlete she admires most is former MLB player Hunter Pence … major is undeclared.
Jaella Ann Mercado’s Career Highs
| At-Bats | -- |
| Runs Scored | 1, 16 Times (last vs. UCF, 5/23/26) |
| Hits | -- |
| Runs Batted In | -- |
| Doubles | -- |
| Triples | -- |
| Home Runs | -- |
| Total Bases | -- |
| Walks | -- |
| Sacrifice Flies | -- |
| Sacrifice Hits | -- |
| Stolen Bases | 1, Three Times (last at Washington, 4/25/26) |
| Hit-By-Pitches | -- |