Mercer University
The Citadel
Baseball's 30th Win of the Year Clinches Series with The Citadel
5/6/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
MACON, Ga. – The Mercer University baseball team reached the 30-win mark for the seventh straight season, defeating The Citadel, 11-4, on Friday night at Claude Smith Field to clinch its fifth straight Southern Conference series.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Citadel jumped out to an early lead for the second straight game, as a wild pitch and an ensuing two-run single allowed three runs to cross the plate. The Bears answered in the bottom half of the inning, as Kyle Lewis' sacrifice fly drove in Matt Meeder to cut the deficit to two, 3-1.
Mercer kept it rolling in the second, exploding for eight runs with five of those coming in two-out situations. Jackson Ware started the fireworks with a run-scoring single to right center, before Trey Truitt's two-run single put the Orange and Black on top, 4-3. Ryan Hagan's two-run double pushed the lead to two, 6-3 and Charlie Madden would make it a 9-3 advantage with a three-run blast to left field.
Ware drove in his second run of the game in the fifth, plating Danny Edgeworth to push the Bears' lead to 10-3. The Citadel broke a five-inning scoring drought in the top of the seventh, as Clay Martin drove in a run to cut the deficit to six, 10-4. However, the Bears got the run back in the eighth, as Madden drove in his fourth run of the game on a sacrifice fly to round out the scoring at 11-4.
KEY TO THE GAME
The Bears turned to a big inning for the second consecutive night, exploding for eight runs in a crucial second inning. Mercer's eight runs in the frame marked the second time this season they have reached that number and the 14th time with five or more runs in an inning.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Ware had a big night for the Orange and Black, filling up the box score with the number two. The sophomore finished 2-for-2 at the plate with two walks and two RBIs, while also making a pair of diving catches in the outfield to help the team's defensive effort.
COACH GIBSON'S TAKE
"It was a great game. They got out in front and hit us in the mouth early, but we responded against their number one pitcher. We had a big second inning and were able to put some hits and runs together against a really good arm."
On the team's big innings this season
"This is a veteran lineup. I'm really proud of Jackson Ware tonight, he had some great at-bats and was outstanding in the field as well and we need him. Blaise Lezynski has really been playing well the past month, so it's fun to watch us play our better baseball tonight."
On responding from an early deficit
"They came out and got to Ryan Askew early, but to his credit he rebounded from Monday's surgery on his foot and was great for the next five innings. I can't say enough about him, he's been great on Friday nights and a fantastic leader for our young pitching staff."
NOTABLES
- Mercer has won 11 of the last 14 meetings between the two programs, including an 8-2 mark during head coach Craig Gibson's tenure.
- The Orange and Black reached double-digits in the runs column for the 15th time this season, moving to 13-2 when accomplishing the feat.
- The Bears reached double-figure hits for the 25th time this season, recording an even 10 on the night. They are now 20-5 when reaching the mark.
- Askew improved to 4-2 on the year thanks to his seventh quality start, after giving up three runs on six hits with five strikeouts.
- Mercer also got scoreless relief outings from Carter Varga and Andrew Kane to close out the game.
- Madden's home run in the second was his ninth of the season, while pushing his total of multiple-RBI outings to 12 this season with his four-RBI night.
- Truitt's two-run single in the second inning gave him his second multiple-RBI effort of the weekend and the 11th of the year.
- Meeder recorded a pair of singles to record his 10th multiple-hit performance of the season.
- Hagan finished 2-for-5 with a pair of RBIs for his 23rd multiple hit game and ninth contest with two or more RBIs.
RECORDS UPDATE
Mercer improves to 30-17 overall and 14-6 in SoCon play, while The Citadel moves to 15-32 overall and 5-12 in league action.
UP NEXT
The Bears go for the series sweep of The Citadel on Sunday, May 8, as the two teams are set for a 1 p.m. first pitch on Senior Day at Claude Smith Field.
