Mercer University
Florida A&M
Baseball Falls to Florida A&M in 11 Innings
5/10/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Mercer University baseball team dropped an 11-inning heartbreaker to Florida A&M, 7-6, on Tuesday night at Moore-Kittles Field.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Florida A&M jumped out to an early 1-0 lead with a solo shot from Ben Ellzey in the second. The Rattlers tacked on two more runs in the third, behind another solo shot from Alec Wong before a miscue cost the Bears another run as FAMU pushed its lead to 3-0.
Mercer cut into the lead in the top of the fourth, after Matt Meeder's RBI triple and an ensuing run-scoring double from Jackson Ware pulled the Orange and Black within one, 3-2. However, Florida A&M answered in the home half, as AJ Elkins, who led off the inning with a walk, came around to score for a 4-2 lead.
The Bears grabbed their first lead of the game in the top of the seventh, plating four runs in the frame. Kyle Lewis plated the first run of the rally with a single up the middle, before an error allowed the tying run to cross the plate. Charlie Madden followed with a two-run homer to left center for a 6-4 advantage.
Florida A&M got four straight hits to open up the bottom of the seventh, plating two runs to knot the game at 6-6. Mercer had a chance to win the game in the top of the 10th with the bases loaded and only one out, but the Bears came up empty.
The Rattlers took advantage, as an error allowed the game-winning run to reach scoring position and set up the walk-off single by Jackie Miles, Jr. for the 7-6 victory.
KEY TO THE GAME
Mercer had several opportunities to strike the final blow, but missed opportunities proved to be the difference. The Bears stranded five runners between the ninth and 10th innings and finished 3-for-12 with runners in scoring position, while Florida A&M was 5-for-11 in those situations.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Conard Broom was tagged with the loss, despite an incredible performance on the mound. The freshman, making his nation-leading 35th appearance, tossed four straight scoreless frames to keep the Bears in the game, before giving up an unearned run in the 11th. He scattered five hits during that stretch, while striking out four batters.
NOTABLES
- Mercer fell to Florida A&M for just the fourth time in the last 29 meetings.
- The Orange and Black reached double-figure hits for the 27th time this season. They are 20-7 when accomplishing the feat.
- The Bears are now 2-1 when going to extra innings this season.
- Meeder recorded his 10th multiple hit game of the year, finishing 2-for-4 at the plate including his first triple of the season.
- Lewis pushed his hitting streak to nine games, going 2-for-5 with one RBI to record his 26th multiple-hit performance of the year and the 60th of his career.
- Madden's two-run home run highlighted a 2-for-5 performance at the dish. The long ball was his 10th of the year and gave him nine multiple-hit outings this spring.
RECORDS UPDATE
Mercer falls to 30-19 overall, while Florida A&M moves to 27-18.
UP NEXT
The Bears wrap up their series with FAMU tomorrow, May 11. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. at Moore-Kittles Field.
