Mercer University
Austin Peay
Baseball's Rally Falls Short in 10-7 Loss to Austin Peay
3/4/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
MACON, Ga. – The Mercer University baseball team scored six runs over its final two innings, but the rally would fall short in a 10-7 loss to Austin Peay in Friday night's series opener at Claude Smith Field.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Austin Peay turned to the long ball to grab an early 2-0 lead, picking up a pair of solo home runs in the top of the second.
The Bears answered in the home half thanks to back-to-back hits to lead off the frame. Ben Upton started the rally with a bloop single, before scoring from first on Hunter Bening's double to the gap in right center to make it a 2-1 game.
The Governors' added two more solo home runs to grow their lead to three, 4-1, as Logan Gray went deep in the fourth before Ridge Smith took a pitch over the wall in left field in the seventh. Miscues cost the Bears in the eighth, as Austin Peay took advantage of the extra life with five runs for a 9-1 lead.
Mercer showcased power of its own in the eighth to jumpstart a rally, as Upton led off the frame with a solo shot before Charlie Madden came through with a three-run jack to make it a 9-5 contest. Austin Peay added a key insurance run in the top of the ninth, before the Bears continued their rally in the home half.
Matt Meeder's lead-off walk set the tone for the rally, as the Orange and Black drew four walks in the frame including one from Howard Joe with two outs and the bases loaded to pull within four, 10-6. Jackson Ware followed it up with a RBI single up the middle to cut the deficit to three, but the Governors were able to pick up the final out to escape with the victory.
KEY TO THE GAME
Austin Peay had only five hits through the first seven innings, however, four of those hits were solo home runs. Outside of those long balls, Mercer held the Governors to just two other base runners during that stretch.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Upton had another strong outing for the Bears, finishing 2-for-4 at the plate with one RBI and a team-leading two runs scored. The junior smacked his second home run in as many games, while reaching base a total of three times to raise his team-best on-base percentage to .571.
COACH GIBSON'S TAKE
"We had some mistakes early that cost us. We didn't get a bunt down that would have given us a run and we didn't cover a bag and that hurt us. We also some chances with the infield in and weren't able to come through. Tip your cap to their guys though, they had some big hits and their starter had a strong outing."
"I was really proud of Ryan Askew though. I thought he threw the ball really well tonight, but this will be a good series all weekend so we need to come back and be ready to play tomorrow."
MERCER NOTABLES
- The Bears are now 0-1 in the all-time series with Austin Peay.
- Mercer outhit the Governors with a total of 11 hits on the night, reaching double-figures in the hits column for the fifth straight game and the sixth time this season.
- The Orange and Black came into the game leading the nation in walks with 66. They added to the total on Friday night with a total of seven walks in the opener.
- Ryan Askew fell just short of his second straight quality start, picking up the loss after giving up four runs on just five hits in 6.2 innings of action. The junior struck out seven batters in the contest, giving him 16 strikeouts over his past two starts.
- Ware notched a career-high three hits on the night, including his second double of the season.
- Madden smacked his second home run of the year and the 14th of his career. His three RBIs pushed his season total to seven, while giving him 17 multiple-RBI efforts in his career.
- Truitt had his fourth straight multiple-hit game, finishing 2-for-4 at the plate. The sophomore pushed his season average up to .382, as he is 9-for-16 at the plate in his last four contests. He has now hit safely in each of his last seven contests.
- Lewis and Meeder each saw their hitting streaks come to an end. However, each reached base along for the 10th straight game this season, topping the team along with Ryan Hagan.
RECORDS UPDATE
Mercer falls to 7-3 on the year, while Austin Peay moves to 5-4.
UP NEXT
The Bears continue their three-game series with Austin Peay tomorrow, Mar. 5, at Claude Smith Field. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.
