Saturday, February 20
Macon, Ga.
2 p.m.
Mercer University
vs
Jackson State
Baseball Welcomes Jackson State to OrthoGeorgia Park
2/19/2021 4:01:00 PM | Baseball
The Bears will face Jackson State for the first time in program history
MACON, Ga. – The Mercer Baseball team will now open up on Saturday with a doubleheader against Jackson State at OrthoGeorgia Park. The three game set will feature a doubleheader on Saturday with a single game Sunday.
Â
GAMEDAY LINEUP
Teams: Mercer (0-0) vs. Jackson State (0-0)
Location: Macon, Ga. | OrthoGeorgia Park
Saturday (G1): Feb. 20 | 2 p.m. | Live Stats
Saturday (G2): Feb. 20| 45 minutes after game one | Live Stats
Sunday: Feb. 21| 1 p.m. | Live Stats
Â
Projected Rotations:
The last time the Tigers of Jackson State took to the field was on March 11, 2020 when they defeated USC-Upstate. The win moved Jackson State to 9-7 on the season before play was halted. The 2021 Tigers were picked to finish second in the SWAC East division.
Â
Friday night starter Nikelle Galatas was picked as the SWAC Pitcher of the Year. He has been a key figure in the Tigers' pitching rotation during the past two seasons. During his 2019 campaign he tallied seven wins during the season, starting 15 games and making 22 total appearances. He pitched 105.2 total innings while striking out 81 batters and limiting opposing hitters to a .238 batting average. Galatas contributed three complete game performances and also notched two saves.
Â
Joining Galatas on the SWAC first team out of Jackson State were Eqoun Smith, Wesley Reyes, and Mario Lopez. The Tigers had the most members on the first team of any SWAC institution with a total of four members on the team.
Smith, played in 14 games in 2020 going 18-for-42 at the plate for a batting average of .429. He also scored 16 runs for the season with two doubles, one home run, two triples, and nine runs batted in. Reyes, played in 16 games last season, tallying 16 hits in 57 at bats for an average of .333 at the dish. He also scored 10 runs on the season with six doubles, two home runs, and 14 runs batted in.
Lopez, made eight appearances a year ago, making one start and seven appearances in relief. He threw for a total of 16.0 innings on the mound, tallying an earned run average of 3.94 after surrendering eight runs, just four base on balls, and 15 strike outs in 75 batters faced. Lopez also compiled a 2-0 overall record and one save.
Â
Follow the Bears
For complete coverage of Mercer Baseball, please follow the Bears on social media at @MercerBaseball (Twitter), /MercerBaseball (Facebook) and @Mercer.Baseball (Instagram) or visit the official home of Mercer Athletics at MercerBears.com.
Â
Â
GAMEDAY LINEUP
Teams: Mercer (0-0) vs. Jackson State (0-0)
Location: Macon, Ga. | OrthoGeorgia Park
Saturday (G1): Feb. 20 | 2 p.m. | Live Stats
Saturday (G2): Feb. 20| 45 minutes after game one | Live Stats
Sunday: Feb. 21| 1 p.m. | Live Stats
Â
Projected Rotations:
- Saturday (G1): RHP Jackson Kelley vs. RHP Nikelle Galatas
- Saturday (G2): RHP Taylor Lobus vs. LHP Anthony Becerra
- Sunday: LHP Fred Wilson vs. LHP Harry Colon
- The Bears were off to a 13-3 start to the 2020 season before COVID-19 canceled the season.
- Mercer takes on Georgia Tech on Feb. 24th in Atlanta. First-pitch is set for 1 p.m. The game will be broadcast on The ACC Network.
- Over the last five seasons, Mercer is 88-44 when playing at OrthoGeorgia Park. The Orange & Black won 23 home games during the 2018 season, the most wins over this stretch. Over the five year span, Mercer is averaging 17.6 wins at home per year. Mercer will play 30 games at home this season.
- Mercer was picked to finish second in the 2021 Preseason SoCon Coach's and Media Polls. The Bears were picked behind Samford in both polls.
- Mercer had four players recognized by the Southern Conference. RJ Yeager, Angelo DiSpigna, Brandon Michie and Colby Thomas all earned Preseason Second Team honors.Â
- Yeager has started every game at shortstop since he arrived on campus as a freshman. He has currently started 140 consecutive games heading into the 2021 season.
- Mercer is one of just four NCAA Division I programs to win at least 35 games in each of the past 10 seasons, joining LSU, Florida State and Vanderbilt.
- Since 2010, the Bears are the winningest Division I baseball program in the state of Georgia. The Bears have won 394 games, 11 more wins than Georgia Tech who is second on the list.
- Series:Â First Meeting
- First Meeting: First Meeting
- Last Meeting: First Meeting
- Streak: First Meeting
The last time the Tigers of Jackson State took to the field was on March 11, 2020 when they defeated USC-Upstate. The win moved Jackson State to 9-7 on the season before play was halted. The 2021 Tigers were picked to finish second in the SWAC East division.
Â
Friday night starter Nikelle Galatas was picked as the SWAC Pitcher of the Year. He has been a key figure in the Tigers' pitching rotation during the past two seasons. During his 2019 campaign he tallied seven wins during the season, starting 15 games and making 22 total appearances. He pitched 105.2 total innings while striking out 81 batters and limiting opposing hitters to a .238 batting average. Galatas contributed three complete game performances and also notched two saves.
Â
Joining Galatas on the SWAC first team out of Jackson State were Eqoun Smith, Wesley Reyes, and Mario Lopez. The Tigers had the most members on the first team of any SWAC institution with a total of four members on the team.
Smith, played in 14 games in 2020 going 18-for-42 at the plate for a batting average of .429. He also scored 16 runs for the season with two doubles, one home run, two triples, and nine runs batted in. Reyes, played in 16 games last season, tallying 16 hits in 57 at bats for an average of .333 at the dish. He also scored 10 runs on the season with six doubles, two home runs, and 14 runs batted in.
Lopez, made eight appearances a year ago, making one start and seven appearances in relief. He threw for a total of 16.0 innings on the mound, tallying an earned run average of 3.94 after surrendering eight runs, just four base on balls, and 15 strike outs in 75 batters faced. Lopez also compiled a 2-0 overall record and one save.
Â
Follow the Bears
For complete coverage of Mercer Baseball, please follow the Bears on social media at @MercerBaseball (Twitter), /MercerBaseball (Facebook) and @Mercer.Baseball (Instagram) or visit the official home of Mercer Athletics at MercerBears.com.
Â
Players Mentioned
IF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
IF/OF
/ Baseball
OF
/ Baseball
LHP
/ Baseball
Mercer Football Press Conference (Week 3 vs. Wofford)
Monday, September 08
Mercer v. South Florida Men's Soccer Highlight Reel: 9/7/2025
Monday, September 08
Mercer v. Gardner-Webb Women's Soccer Highlight Reel: 9/7/2025
Monday, September 08
Mercer v. Kennesaw State Women's Soccer Highlight Reel: 9/4/2025
Friday, September 05
