Mercer University
East Tenn. St.
Baseball Can't Hold Early Lead in 13-8 Loss at ETSU
4/21/2012 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – The Mercer baseball team had a 6-2 lead, but couldn't hold it as East Tennessee State erupted for seven runs in the seventh inning on its way to a 13-8 win on Saturday afternoon at Thomas Stadium.
Mercer (24-17, 7-10 A-Sun) allowed a season-high 13 runs on 17 hits as it will have to wait until Sunday to try to clinch its third-straight Atlantic Sun Conference weekend series.
Mercer jumped out to an early lead when junior Jamie McMillan roped a two-out two-RBI double to centerfield to take a 2-0 advantage in the top of the first inning.
ETSU cut into the lead in the bottom of the third after an RBI groundout by sophomore Clinton Freeman made the score 2-1 in favor of the Bears.
The Buccaneers came back to tie it up at 2-2 in the bottom of the fourth when senior Skyler Barnett hit an RBI double to left field.
The Orange and Black jumped back in front in the top of the fifth, however, using a two-RBI double by freshman Chesny Young to take a 4-2 advantage.
Mercer continued to add to its lead against ETSU starter John Long in the top of the sixth when sophomore Derrick Workman sliced an RBI double to left and classmate DJ Johnson collected an RBI single to make the score 6-2.
ETSU stormed back, however scoring two runs in the bottom of the sixth and seven runs in the bottom of the seventh, highlighted by a three-RBI triple by senior Corey McPherson to take a commanding 11-6 lead that was never threatened the rest of the way.
Young had three hits and a season-high four RBI while Workman finished with a 2-for-4 day at the plate with a pair of runs scored.
Mercer plays the rubber game of its three-game series with ETSU tomorrow afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Thomas Stadium.
