Mercer University
Xavier
Truitt's Walk-Off Lifts Mercer Past Xavier, 3-1
2/26/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
MACON, Ga. – Sophomore Trey Truitt's walk-off home run in extra innings lifted the Mercer University baseball team to a thrilling 3-1 victory over Xavier in Friday night's series opener at Claude Smith Field.
HOW IT HAPPENED
It was a pitcher's duel from the start at Claude Smith Field, as Mercer starter Ryan Askew and Xavier starter Zac Lowther combined to retire the first 22 batters of the contest.
Xavier broke up Askew's no-hit bid in the sixth, as Andre Jernigan put the Musketeers up 1-0 with a solo shot to right center. Mercer answered in the bottom of the seventh though with a solo home run of its own, as Kyle Lewis hit his second jack of the year with his bomb to right field.
Neither team could find the winning run late, as the Bears went to extra innings for the second straight game. After Taylor Lobus tossed a scoreless 10th, Ben Upton kept the Orange and Black's hopes alive with a two-out walk in the home half. Truitt took advantage, blasting a 3-1 pitch over the wall in right center to hand Mercer its fourth win of the year.
KEY TO THE GAME
Askew and Lobus put a clamp on the Xavier offense, limiting the Musketeers to just two hits over the 10 innings of play. The Bears' defense was fantastic as well, helping the two pitchers combine to hold Xavier to .065 hitting while adding 13 strikeouts.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Askew had a career outing on Friday night despite earning a no decision, as he gave up just one hit in a career-best eight innings of work. The junior struck out a career-high nine batters in the contest, while retiring the first 12 batters he faced.
COACH GIBSON'S TAKE
"I thought it was (Ryan) Askew's best start of his career with eight innings, nine punchouts and just one walk early in the year. We needed that tonight because their guy was outstanding.
Defensively it was probably the best game we played all year."
"I'm also really proud of Ben (Upton). He has good at-bats and really came through for us in a pinch-hitting role. Then Trey (Truitt) came up with a hit that we needed and he is very dynamic player that is capable of those type of big plays. However, I'm really impressed with Xavier's baseball team. They are well coached and it makes it a great series that is exciting to play."
"This game gives us confidence, but we have to play well tomorrow because they are a really good club. That is how you get ready to play in a good league, playing against teams like Xavier and they are probably one of the better teams we'll play all year."
MERCER NOTABLES
- The Bears are now 2-1 all-time against Xavier, as they move to 2-0 in Friday night series openers this season.
- Mercer finished with seven hits on the evening with six of those coming after the fifth inning of play.
- At two hours and 23 minutes, tonight's game marks the Bears' shortest contest of the season.
- Lobus gave up just one hit in two innings, after coming in to start the ninth in place of Askew. The freshman struck out a career-high four batters including three straight in the ninth.
- Truitt led the Bears with a season-high two hits and two RBIs. The sophomore now has 16 multiple-hit performances and 10 multiple-RBI efforts.
- Upton pinch hit for Mercer in the 10th, drawing his second walk of the year. The junior has now reached base in two of his three trips to the plate this season.
- Lewis' home run in the seventh was his second of the season and marks the second straight game he has gone yard.
- Ryan Hagan, Lewis and Matt Meeder have each accrued at least one hit in all five games this season.
- Hernandez saw his streak of three straight games with a home run come to an end.
RECORDS UPDATE
Mercer moves to 4-1 on the year with the victory, while Xavier slides to 0-5.
UP NEXT
The Bears return to Claude Smith Field tomorrow, as they host Xavier for the second game of the three-game series. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.
