Mercer University
Samford
Mercer Baseball Claims SoCon Championship Title with 5-0 Shutout of Samford
5/24/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Mercer University baseball team claimed the 2015 Southern Conference Championship title and an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament with a 5-0 victory over Samford on Sunday afternoon at Riley Park.
Mercer (35-21) advances to its third NCAA Regional in the last six years, after claiming the fifth conference tournament title in program history. The Bears, who reached 35 wins for the sixth straight year with the victory, will learn their destination for regional play tomorrow afternoon, as the NCAA Selection Show is slated to start at noon on ESPNU.
The Bears got a great performance from their starter for the second straight game, as Eric Nyquist added another outstanding moment to a memorable senior campaign. Nyquist scattered six hits over nine shutout innings for his second complete-game shutout of the year and the first in the SoCon title game since 2011. The Alpharetta, Ga. native needed just 111 pitches to complete the shutout, as the performance helped him garner the event's Walt Nadzak Most Outstanding Player honor.
Mercer finished with 11 hits on the afternoon, including four players with multiple-hit efforts. Trey Truitt led the way for the Bears, finishing 3-for-3 with a home run, two RBIs and a walk. Devin Bonin, Danny Edgeworth and Jackson Ware each had two hits as well for the Bears.
After three scoreless innings for both teams, Mercer found the scoreboard in the fourth inning with three decisive runs. Trey Truitt broke up the scoreless tie with a two-run home run to right center, his second long ball of the tournament. The Bears pushed their lead to 3-0 later in the inning, as Matt Meeder scored on a Samford error.
Danny Edgeworth drove in the Bears' fourth run of the game in the bottom of the sixth, plating Truitt with a single up the middle for a 4-0 advantage. Mercer would add an insurance run in the eighth, as Charlie Madden's single to center score Jackson Ware to round out the scoring at 5-0.
The run support was more than enough for a pitching staff that shined during the Bears' title run, giving up a tournament-low eight earned runs in the team's four contests.
Mercer rolled through its first SoCon Championship, outscoring its opponents 32-10 en route to a perfect 4-0 record and a sweep of the league's regular season and tournament titles.
The Bears were well represented on the SoCon's All-Tournament team, as Edgeworth, Madden Nyquist, Morgan Pittman and Truitt were each recognized.
All-Tournament Team
SP – Eric Nyquist, Mercer
SP – Adam Scott, Wofford
RP – Morgan Pittman, Mercer
C – Charlie Madden, Mercer
1B – Austin Edens, Samford
2B – Jacobs Watcher, The Citadel
SS – Danny Rodriguez, Samford
3B – Danny Edgeworth, Mercer
OF – Trey Truitt, Mercer
OF – Heath Quinn, Samford
OF – Kody Ruedisili, Wofford
DH – Matt Ramsay, Wofford
Walt Nadzak Most Outstanding Player
Eric Nyquist, Mercer
