Saturday, April 9
Macon, Ga.
2 P.M.
Mercer University
4
vs
1
The Citadel
Photo by: Mitch Robinson
Striking Out The Citadel
4/9/2022 5:33:00 PM | Baseball
Bears staff fans 16 in first series win
MACON, Ga. – The Mercer pitching staff struck out 16 batters to claim the second game of the series against The Citadel, 4-1, Saturday afternoon at OrthoGeorgia Park.
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Ryan Lobus (5-1) earned the win after fanning seven in 5.0 innings of work. He then handed the ball over to Jaxon O'Neal who struck out five of the eight batters he faced in two innings out of the bullpen. Jackson Kelley earned his third save of the year after hurling two scoreless frames and punching out four batters.
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The Bears (26-5, 2-0 SoCon) jumped out to an early lead, as Trevor Austin drove in Angelo DiSpigna on a single to left field in the second inning.
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Cole Simpson hit a solo homer in the fourth that allowed the Bulldogs (17-12, 0-2 SoCon) to pull even.
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Mercer reclaimed the advantage in the bottom of the frame, thanks to William Mapes' go-ahead single. The Alpharetta native's check swing allowed the ball to carry into shallow right field, sending Antonio Brown across the plate to put the Bears in front for good.
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The Bears pushed the lead to 3-1 later in the panel, as Austin scored when Mapes was thrown out attempting to steal second base.
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Colby Thomas added an insurance run in the seventh with a 406-foot homer over the wall in left field. It marked his team-leading 14th of the year. It also was his fourth consecutive game with a round tripper.
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Austin paced the attack with a 3 for 4 performance that included his sixth double of the year. Thomas was 2 for 2 with three walks (two intentional).
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The Citadel starter Fisher Paulsen (3-2) was tagged with the loss after giving up three runs on seven hits with four walks and four strikeouts.
COACH GIBSON'S THOUGHTS
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The set wraps up Sunday at 1 p.m.
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Ryan Lobus (5-1) earned the win after fanning seven in 5.0 innings of work. He then handed the ball over to Jaxon O'Neal who struck out five of the eight batters he faced in two innings out of the bullpen. Jackson Kelley earned his third save of the year after hurling two scoreless frames and punching out four batters.
Â
The Bears (26-5, 2-0 SoCon) jumped out to an early lead, as Trevor Austin drove in Angelo DiSpigna on a single to left field in the second inning.
Â
Cole Simpson hit a solo homer in the fourth that allowed the Bulldogs (17-12, 0-2 SoCon) to pull even.
Â
Mercer reclaimed the advantage in the bottom of the frame, thanks to William Mapes' go-ahead single. The Alpharetta native's check swing allowed the ball to carry into shallow right field, sending Antonio Brown across the plate to put the Bears in front for good.
Â
The Bears pushed the lead to 3-1 later in the panel, as Austin scored when Mapes was thrown out attempting to steal second base.
Â
Colby Thomas added an insurance run in the seventh with a 406-foot homer over the wall in left field. It marked his team-leading 14th of the year. It also was his fourth consecutive game with a round tripper.
Â
Austin paced the attack with a 3 for 4 performance that included his sixth double of the year. Thomas was 2 for 2 with three walks (two intentional).
Â
The Citadel starter Fisher Paulsen (3-2) was tagged with the loss after giving up three runs on seven hits with four walks and four strikeouts.
COACH GIBSON'S THOUGHTS
Post Game Thoughts@CraigGibson_MU after the Bears 2-0 @SoConSports opening. #WinnersWin | #RoarTogether pic.twitter.com/qYLc3UUOqr
— Mercer Baseball (@MercerBaseball) April 9, 2022
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The set wraps up Sunday at 1 p.m.
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Players Mentioned
IF
/ Baseball
IF/OF
/ Baseball
IF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
RHP
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MIF
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LHP
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OF
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