Mercer University
Lipscomb
Baseball Falters Late in 7-4 Loss at Lipscomb
3/25/2012 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Mercer baseball team built up an early lead, but let it slip away late in a 7-4 loss to Lipscomb on Sunday afternoon at Ken Dugan Field.
Mercer (16-10, 1-5 A-Sun) was swept in an Atlantic Sun Conference series for the first time in almost a full calendar year after Jacksonville accomplished the feat in early April of 2011.
The Bears wasted no time jumping out in front early using some fireworks to take a lead in the top of the first. A pair of two-run home runs by redshirt sophomore Nick Backlund and junior Jamie McMillan pushed Mercer out in front by a 4-0 advantage.
Lipscomb battled back in the bottom of the second, putting up a three-spot in the frame to close within one. A two-RBI double by senior M.L. Williams highlighted the surge that made the score 4-3.
After the early inning offense by both squads, Bears starter David Randall and Bison hurler Josh Cotham each settled down nicely over the next few innings.
Things changed in the fifth as Lipscomb once again rallied to push a run across and tie the game up. An RBI single by junior Taylor Stewart off Randall knotted things at 4-4 through five innings of play.
Randall ended up with a no-decision in his outing, throwing 5.1 innings and allowing four runs on nine hits to go along with five strikeouts.
The score remained 4-4 going into the bottom of the eighth until senior Zak Messer changed everything with one swing of the bat. The Bison second baseman crushed a two-run home run to left field to give the home team a 6-4 lead.
Lipscomb closer Gil Rehwinkel did the rest, pitching a scoreless ninth inning to record his second save of the season.
McMillan had a solid game in his third start of the season, reaching base four times and recording the only multi-hit effort of any Mercer hitter in the contest.
Mercer is now off for the next week and will return to the diamond next weekend when it welcomes Stetson into town for a three-game Atlantic Sun series. Game one is scheduled for Friday night at 6 p.m. at Claude Smith Field.
