Bears Open 2022 Season This Friday

Friday, February 18

Macon, Ga.

6 P.M.

Mercer University

Eastern Kentucky University

Photo by: Mitch Robinson

2/16/2022 11:28:00 AM | Baseball

Bears host EKU Friday, Saturday, Sunday

By: Zach Durkee

MACON, Ga. – Opening day is here for the Mercer baseball team. The Bears will kick off the season on Friday February 18 at 6 P.M. against Eastern Kentucky University. Mercer and EKU will also play Saturday at 2 P.M. and Sunday at 1 P.M.

SERIES CAPSULE
Series History 5-3-0
In Macon 5-3-0
at EKU 0-0-0
at Neutral 0-0-0
First Meeting (1986) W, 1-0
Last Meeting (2018) W, 5-4
Last Mercer Win (2018) W, 5-4
Last EKU Win (1999) L, 9-7
Gibson vs. EKU 3-0

SCOUTING EASTERN KENTUCKY
Eastern Kentucky is led by Chris Prothro who is entering his second season as head coach. Last season he led the Colonels to a 21-32 record. EKU went 5-23 on the road last season and 16-9 at home. They will feature plenty of new faces with 38 newcomers suiting up for the team. The Colonels return six position player starters and three pitchers from last season.

HOME SLATE
The Bears' 29-game home schedule includes Southern Conference series with The Citadel, Wofford, and VMI. The Bears will host Eastern Kentucky, Florida A&M, Southern Illinois - Edwardsville, Florida State, UNC Asheville, Georgia Tech, Saint Peter's, Georgia Southern, Charleston Southern, Jacksonville State, and Georgia State in non-conference games.

ON THE ROAD
Mercer will have a 27-game road schedule this season. This will include conference matchups with UNCG, ETSU, Western Carolina, and Samford. The non-conference schedule will include trips to University of South Florida, University of Utah, Seton Hall, Charleston Southern, Florida A&M, Georgia Tech, Jacksonville State, Georgia State, and Georgia Southern.

LAST SEASONS RECORD
The Bears went 35-22 overall and 18-9 in SoCon play last season.

RETURNING PLAYERS
The Bears return five position players that started at least 49 games and five pitchers with at least 28 innings logged a season ago. Bill Knight, Trevor Austin, Angelo DiSpigna, Colby Thomas, and Collin Price will be the returning position players with Jackson Kelley, Luke Sutko, Wesley Franklin, Josh Farmer, and Fred Wilson all seeing at least 28 innings of pitching.

CLOSING IN ON MILESTONES
Heading into his 19^th season, Craig Gibson needs just nine wins to reach the 600-win milestone. With the Bears starting the season with 17 straight home games, Coach Gibson will look to reach the milestone in front of the home crowd.

35 WINS OR MORE
Since 2010, Mercer is one of three teams to win 35 or more games each year. Mercer is in elite company with Vanderbilt and LSU being the other two teams to accomplish this feat.

ON THE MOUND
Jackson Kelley owned the lowest ERA (3.67) on the team last year in his 68.2 innings of work. Josh Farmer went 4-1 for the Bears in his five starts. Luke Sutko led the team with 12 saves last season.

AT THE PLATE
Bill Knight led the team with a .325 batting average and 74 hits last season. His 16 doubles and 50 RBIs last year are the most among any returners. Angelo DiSpigna led the team with 15 homeruns last season. His .563 slugging percentage is the highest of any returner who saw at least 25 starts. Colby Thomas had 47 hits and 12 doubles while posting a team high among returners of nine steals.

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.