Mercer University
Savannah St.
Edgeworth Lifts Mercer to 7-3 Victory over Savannah State
4/26/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
SAVANNAH, Ga. – Danny Edgeworth's grand slam in the top of the ninth handed Mercer a 7-3 victory over Savannah State on Tuesday evening at Tiger Field.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Mercer scored the game's opening run, as Jackson Ware drove in Hunter Bening with a sacrifice fly for a 1-0 advantage. However, Savannah State answered with three straight runs, scoring once in the second, third and fifth frames for a 3-1 lead.
However, Mercer tied the game in the top of the eighth with a pair of runs. Kyle Lewis started the rally with a lead-off triple, before scoring moments later off the bat of Ryan Hagan. The Bears tied the game later in the inning, as an error allowed pinch runner Conrad Cornell to cross the plate.
Edgeworth provided the game-winning heroics in the top of the ninth, hitting a grand slam to right to give the Bears a 7-3 advantage.
KEY TO THE GAME
The Bears' bats woke up down the stretch, scoring six of the team's seven runs in the final two innings of play. Meanwhile, Mercer's bullpen kept the Tigers in check, keeping SSU off the scoreboard in each of the final four innings to help key the comeback.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Edgeworth had the game's biggest hit, as his sixth home run of the season was the difference. The grand slam gave Edgeworth his ninth multiple-RBI effort of the year and pushed his season total to 31 RBIs.
NOTABLES
- Mercer is now 26-11 all-time against Savannah State, having won the last 13 contests between the two programs.
- The Bears finished the game with 11 hits, the 21st time this season they have reached double-figures.
- The Orange and Black finish 7-6 against in-state opponents this season, finishing the year with back-to-back wins over Georgia Tech and Savannah State.
- Nick Spear picked up his third win in the last week to improve to 4-1, giving up three hits in two scoreless frames to close out the game.
- Conard Broom made his nation-leading 30th appearance of the season, tossing 1.2 scoreless frames.
- Josh Knies fell just short of his first quality start, giving up three runs over 5.1 innings of action.
- Hagan reached in each of his first three plate appearances, smacking a pair of doubles while also drawing a walk and driving in a run. He now has 20 multiple-hit efforts this season.
- Truitt notched his 17th multiple-hit game of the year, finishing 3-for-5 at the plate for his fifth game of three or more hits.
- Lewis recorded his team-leading 21st contest with two or more hits, after going 2-for-4 including his second triple of the year.
- Jose Hernandez reached in both of his plate appearances, finishing 1-for-1 with a walk.
RECORDS UPDATE
Mercer improves to 26-16 overall, while Savannah State moves to 10-32.
UP NEXT
The Bears return to action this weekend, as they travel to Western Carolina for a Southern Conference series that opens up on Friday, Apr. 29, at 5 p.m.
