Bats Quiet in Game Two Loss to No. 14 South Carolina

Saturday, March 6

Columbia, S.C.

4 p.m.

Mercer University

3-6

South Carolina

9-0

Mercer

South Carolina

Bats Quiet in Game Two Loss to No. 14 South Carolina

3/6/2021 11:06:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

Series finale between these two teams starts at 12 p.m.

By: Travis Rae

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Mercer baseball team dropped the second game of the series to No. 14 South Carolina on Saturday, 4-0. South Carolina limited the Bears at the plate as they held the Orange & Black to four hits in the contest.

Mercer had four players collected one hit in the contest, which led the team. Bears starter Taylor Lobus went five innings and gave up three runs while striking out four. Mercers' pitching staff combined for 10 punch outs in the contest.

After a scoreless first inning, the Gamecocks locked in and got on the Bears starter. After a strikeout to start the inning, Josiah Sightler hit a solo home run to right field putting South Carolina ahead. With two outs, South Carolina took advantage of three straight walks, and Joe Satterfield doubled scoring two. Lobus settled back down and got a strikeout to end the inning.

Both teams pitching settled in as neither team could get anything going at the plate. Mercer picked up its first hit of the game when David Burke doubled down the right field line. However, he was left stranded on base.

Mercer tried to get the offense going in the top of the fifth inning when Ryan Archibald and Collin Price drew back-to-back walks to start the inning. However, the next three hitters were retired ending the Bears threat.

South Carolina looked as if they would break the game open in the bottom of the sixth inning. Braylen Wimmer drew a walk and then stole second base. Bears reliever Luke Sutko came in clutch by struck out the side to end the inning without taking any damage.

The Gamecocks added their fourth run of the game in the bottom of the seventh inning. With runners on first and second, David Mendham doubled home a run. After a pitching change, Josh Farmer struck out two to end the inning.

With one out, Colby Thomas double to center field but would be left stranded. Mercer would pick up one more hit in the top of the ninth inning but could not score the run and were defeated 4-0.

Coach Gibson's Take
"Take away the score, as we gave up three in the first, and it's a one run game over eight innings. Our pitching and defense has been outstanding this weekend. Tip your cap, as South Carolina has some great arms and Brannon (Jordan) had a plus breaking ball and could throw it at any count today. They have great starting pitching and a great bullpen. We still have a chance to get one the series."

Records Update
» Mercer: 3-6
» South Carolina: 9-0

Pitchers of Record
» Win: Brannon Jordan (1-0)
» Loss: Taylor Lobus (1-2)

Notables
» After allowing three runs in the first inning, Mercers pitching locked in and only allowed run over the final eight frames.
» Four different players pitched up a hit for the Bears in the contest. All of them had one hit each.
» As a staff, Mercer tallied 10 strikeouts on the day. Taylor Lobus had four, while Luke Sutko and Josh Farmer had three apiece. The Bears have recorded 21 strikeouts over the first two games of the series.
» Colby Thomas and David Burke each picked up a double in the contest. For the season, Mercer has 22 doubles.
» Mercer left seven runners on base in the contest.

Up Next
» Mercer: at South Carolina (12 p.m., Sunday, March 6 at Founders Park)
» South Carolina: vs. Mercer (12 p.m. Sunday, March 6 at Founders Park)

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