Mercer University
Alabama St.
Bears Complete Sweep of Alabama State with 18-2 Win in Series Finale
2/27/2011 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
MACON, Ga. – The Mercer baseball team finished off a busy week by downing Alabama State 18-2 in the series finale between the two clubs on Sunday afternoon at Claude Smith Field.
Mercer (8-2) played six games this week and wrapped up a hectic stretch to start the season in which it played 10 games in just 10 days.
Senior Thomas Carroll starred for a Bears offense that pounded out 17 hits on the day, finishing just a double short of the cycle. The Albany, Ga. native went four-for-six at the dish with an inside the park home run, three runs scored and tying his career-high with six RBI.
Senior Justice French got the start for Mercer and kept the theme of dominant starting pitching this series intact by allowing just two unearned runs on four hits while striking out five to earn the win.
Mercer pitching as a whole this weekend was outstanding; allowing only three unearned runs all series while compiling 27 strikeouts over the three-game set.
Things didn't start so well for the Orange and Black in the top of the first thanks to some suspect play in the field. Three Mercer errors in the first inning allowed Alabama State to push across an unearned run to go up 1-0.
Mercer led just 3-2 going into fourth when its offense erupted to the tune of 14 runs over the next four innings of play. Carroll's inside the park home run in the seventh made the score 17-2 in favor of the home team.
Junior Jacob Tanis went two-for-three in the game with two RBI and a career-high five runs scored.
The Bears return to the field on Tuesday when they welcome Florida A&M into town for a mid-week tilt. Game time is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Claude Smith Field.
