Mercer University
The Citadel
Baseball's Rally Falls Short in 9-8 Loss to The Citadel
5/8/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
MACON, Ga. – The Mercer University baseball team scored six runs in a three-inning stretch, but the Bears' rally would fall short in a 9-8 loss to The Citadel on Sunday afternoon at Claude Smith Field.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Citadel got a solo home run in the first inning for the second time this weekend, as Mike Deese's shot to left field resulted in an early 1-0 lead. However, the Bears responded in the home half, as Danny Edgeworth blasted a two-run shot to the parking lot in right field to go out in front, 2-1.
The Bulldogs kept rolling though, continuing to do damage with two outs. The Citadel scored all three of its runs in the second with two outs, before using a three-run homer by William Kinney with two outs to take a 7-2 advantage.
Mercer got a run back in the bottom of the fifth, as Hunter Bening led off the frame with a double before coming around to score to cut the deficit to four, 7-3. The Bears pulled within two, 7-5, in the sixth, behind solo home runs from Kyle Lewis and Blaise Lezynski.
However, the Citadel used back-to-back two-out hits in the seventh to add two key insurance runs for a 9-5 advantage. The Bears turned to the long ball again in the home half though, as Trey Truitt's solo shot was followed by Lewis' two-run homer off the batter's eye in straight-away center field to pull within one, 9-8.
Mercer threatened again in the bottom of the ninth, loading the bases with two outs to put the winning run in scoring position. However, Bulldogs' closer Zach Lavery got the final out to escape trouble and record his eighth save of the season.
KEY TO THE GAME
The Bears were unable to get off the field with two outs in Sunday's series finale, as all nine of the Citadel's runs came in those situations. 11 of the Bulldogs' 14 hits came with two outs, as they hit .550 with two outs and just .158 before that.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Lewis had another signature performance in what will likely be his final game at Claude Smith Field. The highly touted draft prospect reached in four of his five trips to the plate, while recording the second multiple home run contest of his career. He finished 3-for-4 on the day with two home runs and three RBIs, pushing his season total to 25 multiple-hit efforts and 15 games with two or more RBIs.
COACH GIBSON'S TAKE
"They played great today, tip your hat to their starter Jacob Watcher, who pitched really well. It took us awhile to get going and we gave up too many free passes on the mound. Once again though, credit to our team for coming back to have a chance to win it late. We had a couple guys with great days at the plate, but today was their day. Overall though we had a great weekend."
NOTABLES
- Mercer fell to The Citadel for just the fourth time in the last 16 outings.
- Despite the loss, the Orange and Black won their fifth straight SoCon series and 10th total weekend series.
- The Bears reached double-figure hits for the 26th time this season, finishing with 11 on the afternoon. They are now 20-6 when reaching the mark.
- Mercer's five home runs matched its season high, when it hit five in a win over Austin Peay on Mar. 6.
- The Bears now have 76 home runs this season, climbing over the 75 mark for the first time since 2011 when they hit 80 as a team.
- Kevin Coulter took the loss on the mound, falling to 6-3 after giving up four runs in 1.2 innings.
- Taylor Lobus and Austin Lord each had a scoreless relief appearance for the Bears.
- Truitt's solo shot in the seventh was his 13th homer of the year, as he recorded his seventh three-hit performance of the season to push his multiple-hit efforts to 21 in 2016.
- Edgeworth's two-run shot in the second was his ninth of the season, giving him 11 multiple-RBI performances this season.
- Lezynski homered for the fourth time this season with his solo shot in the sixth.
RECORDS UPDATE
Mercer falls to 30-18 overall and 14-7 in SoCon play, while The Citadel moves to 16-32 overall and 6-12 in league action.
UP NEXT
The Bears open up an eight-game road trip to close out the regular season on Tuesday, May 10, as they travel to Florida A&M for the first of a two-game series in Tallahassee. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.
