Mercer University
Harvard
Newell, Carroll Lift Mercer to 14-3 Win over Harvard
3/14/2011 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
MACON, Ga. – Seniors Chris Newell and Thomas Carroll each put together tremendous individual performances to help the Mercer baseball team bounce back with a 14-3 win over Harvard on Monday evening at Claude Smith Field.
After a tough 16 inning 6-3 loss last time out against FGCU on Sunday afternoon, the Mercer offense rebounded nicely against the Crimson, pounding out 14 hits and stealing four bases.
Carroll led the way offensively, going 3-for-5 on the evening with a run scored, five RBI and two doubles to give him an Atlantic Sun Conference leading nine for the season.
Senior Chris Newell pitched well in his first start this season, allowing two earned runs on five hits to go along with four strikeouts to pick up the win.
As has been the case so often this season, the Bears jumped out to a big early lead against Harvard starting pitcher Sam Dodge. Mercer batted around in the bottom of the first, taking a 6-0 lead and chasing Dodge after only a third of an inning. A pair of two-RBI doubles by Carroll and freshman Derrick Workman, an RBI single by freshman Austin Barrett and an RBI groundout by freshman DJ Johnson accounted for the six runs in the frame.
The Orange and Black continued to pour it on in support of Newell, scoring six more runs over the next four innings. A two-run home run by senior Joe Winker, his conference leading eighth of the season, and a solo shot by classmate John Moreland increased the home team's advantage to 12-2.
That was plenty of support for Newell and relievers J.T. Odom, Colby Collins and Tyler Beesley, who combined to throw four scoreless innings of relief to secure the win.
Mercer and Harvard are back at it again tomorrow evening to wrap up its brief two-game series. Game time is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Claude Smith Field.
