Mercer University
Xavier
Mercer Sweeps Xavier with 18-14 Win in Series Finale
2/28/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
MACON, Ga. – The Mercer University baseball team defeated Xavier in a shootout, 18-14, on Sunday afternoon at Claude Smith Field to sweep the weekend series.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Xavier fired the opening salvo with four runs in the first two innings, taking advantage of an error in the first inning for a score before adding three more in the second with two of those coming on Andre Jernigan's second home run of the series.
Mercer answered with seven runs in the bottom of the second to take the lead, 7-4, thanks RBI hits from Ryan Hagan, Charlie Madden, Matt Meeder and Trey Truitt. However, Xavier kept the offensive display going though, plating six runs in the third and another in the fourth to jump back out in front, 11-7.
The Bears rallied with two more big innings, scoring 11 straight runs over the sixth and seventh frames. Hagan started the late fireworks with a two-run home run to left center, before the Orange and Black added two more runs in the sixth to tie the game. Mercer kept it rolling in the seventh with its second seven-run frame for an 18-11 advantage thanks to five hits and three free passes.
Xavier scored three runs in the eighth to make it an 18-14 ballgame, but Taylor Lobus picked up three straight strikeouts to get out of the inning before tossing a perfect ninth to hand the Bears the sweep.
KEY TO THE GAME
The big innings were the difference for Mercer, as the team put up a season-high 18 runs despite only scoring in three innings. The Bears had two innings of seven runs or more for the first time in Craig Gibson's tenure, while also putting up four runs in another frame.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
In a game that featured a loaded box score for the Bears, it was Hagan that stood out. The second baseman went 3-for-4 at the plate to lead the team, while also driving in a career-high six runs including his first home run.
COACH GIBSON'S TAKE
"Every game is different. They came out and hit three or four balls out of the ballpark to get us down early, but we didn't panic and were able to stay close. Then Hagan hit the ball out of the park and we had one inning with multiple two-out hits to get back in it. I was proud of our pitching staff for battling. I thought C.J Martin threw the ball really well and Austin Lord continued to have a good weekend. Lobus came in at the end to close it out and it looks like he's going to be pretty tough to beat this season."
"This was a big weekend for us. I really like Xavier's team, I think they are a good team with strong pitching. All three games could have gone either way, we just happened to come out on top. This weekend helped get us off to a good start and that's important as we head into next Tuesday against Florida A&M."
MERCER NOTABLES
- The Bears are now 4-1 all-time against Xavier, as they remain perfect with a 6-0 record in weekend match-ups this season.
- The Orange and Black picked up their second straight weekend sweep to open the season, marking the second time in the last three years that they have accomplished the feat.
- Mercer had a season-high 14 hits in the contest, the most the program has had since putting together 23 against VMI last season in the SoCon tournament.
- The Bears reached double-figure hits for the second straight game and the third time this season.
- Four players had multiple-hit performances in the series finale, while a total of eight players found the hit column.
- Mercer drew a season-high 13 walks. The Bears last drew that many during the 2011 campaign against Alabama State.
- Austin Lord picked up his second win of the season, after helping the Bears keep Xavier off the scoreboard in the sixth and seventh.
- C.J. Martin went 2.2 innings in his Mercer debut, giving up just one run on five hits.
- Lobus struck out four batters in a pair of scoreless innings to close out the game.
- Meeder and Kyle Lewis each pushed their hitting streaks to seven games with a combined three hits on the day.
- Lewis drew a career-high four walks in the contest, including two of the intentional variety.
- Lewis and Meeder each had a team-high three runs.
- Meeder also added two singles for his first multiple-hit effort of the year and the 22nd of his career.
- Madden notched his 16th career multiple-RBI performance, plating two runs on the day.
- Edgeworth finished with three hits for the second time this season, while driving in a season-best three runs as well. The junior now has 24 career multiple-hit performances and 13 multiple-RBI outings.
- Jackson Ware drew a career-high three walks, giving him a team-high nine on the season.
- Truitt recorded his second multiple-hit and multiple-RBI contest of the series, finishing with 2-for-4 hitting and two RBIs.
RECORDS UPDATE
Mercer moves to 6-1 on the year with the victory, while Xavier slides to 0-7.
UP NEXT
The Bears will be back in action this Tuesday, March 1, when they host Florida A&M in the first of a two-game series at Claude Smith Field. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.
