Mercer University
Georgia Tech
Baseball Takes Down Georgia Tech, 9-8
4/19/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
ATLANTA, Ga. – The Mercer University baseball team used a pair of big innings to defeat Georgia Tech, 9-8, at Russ Chandler Stadium on Tuesday night.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Mercer loaded the bases in each of its first two innings, but was unable to capitalize as it was Georgia Tech that grabbed the early lead. The Yellow Jackets put together four hits in the bottom of the second to jump out to a 2-0 advantage.
The Bears answered in the top of the third though, as Charlie Madden cut the deficit in half with a solo shot to straight-away center field. Blaise Lezynski kept the rally rolling later in the frame, clearing the bases with a grand slam for a 5-2 advantage.
The Yellow Jackets tied the game in the home half, plating three runs thanks to a RBI double from Tristin English and a two-run single by Trevor Craport. Georgia Tech went back on top in the fifth, as Craport's RBI single gave the Jackets a 6-5 lead.
However, Mercer responded in the top of the sixth, putting up four runs in the inning. Kyle Lewis started the rally with a RBI double off the wall in center, before back-to-back RBIs from Madden and Hagan gave the Bears a two-run advantage. Consecutive wild pitches allowed Hagan to cross the plate for a 9-6 lead.
Georgia Tech took advantage of Mercer mistakes in the bottom of the sixth, as a pair of walks, an error and a passed ball to open the inning keyed a two-run rally to pull within one, 9-8.
Conard Broom closed the door on the Bears' victory though, holding the Yellow Jackets off the scoreboard in each of the final three innings for his third save of the year.
KEY TO THE GAME
As it has done many times this season, Mercer turned to the big inning to key a great offensive effort. All nine of the Bears' runs came in just two innings, as the team exploded for five runs in the third before adding four more runs in the sixth.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Lezynski had the Bears' biggest hit of the night to lead a high-scoring offensive attack, as his second home run of the season plated a career-high four runs. He also added a sacrifice bunt in a 1-for-2 effort, while recording his second multiple-RBI contest of the year.
NOTABLES
- Mercer has now won seven of the last 12 meetings between the two programs.
- The Orange and Black recorded 10 hits in the contest to reach double-figures for the 18th time this season.
- The Bears added to their nation-leading walk total on Tuesday night, drawing 11 in the contest. They have reached double-digits in eight contests this season.
- Spear gave up one run in 2.1 innings of action to notch his second victory of the year.
- Broom made his nation-leading 27th appearance, tossing four scoreless frames.
- Madden homered for the seventh time this season with his solo shot in the third. He finished with two RBIs on the night for his 10th multiple-RBI effort of the year.
- Bening drew a walk in each of his first three at-bats, setting a career high. He reached in his first four trips to the plate, adding a single in the sixth.
- Lewis extended his on-base streak to 47 games in the sixth with his 10th double of the year. The junior also added a walk in the seventh, his 42nd of the season.
- Hagan notched a pair of doubles to push his team-leading total to 12 this season. He now has 18 multiple-hit performances on the year.
- Meeder reached base three times on Tuesday night, tallying a single and two walks. He has reached base seven times over his last two contests.
RECORDS UPDATE
Mercer moves to 23-15 overall, while Georgia Tech slides to 24-12 on the year.
UP NEXT
The Bears return to Claude Smith Field this weekend to open up a three-game series with Furman. The action kicks off on Friday, Apr. 21, with a 6 p.m. first pitch.
