Bears to Host UNCG for SoCon Series

MACON, Ga. – The Mercer baseball program (26-16, 8-4) will welcome UNC Greensboro (18-23, 5-7) for a weekend series at OrthoGeorgia Park beginning on Friday, April 28 at 6 p.m. The teams will continue the series on Saturday at 2 p.m. and conclude the matchup on Sunday at 1 p.m.

Friday is Star Wars Night at OrthoGeorgia Park. There will be Star Wars trivia, a movie ticket giveaway, and free lightsabers for students.

FRIDAY, April 28 | 6 p.m.
MER: LHP Colton Cosper (3-3, 5.68 ERA)
UNCG: RHP Julien Peissel (2-1, 3.71 ERA)
LIVE STATS

SATURDAY, April 29 | 2 p.m.
MER: RHP Josh Farmer (4-2, 4.92 ERA)
UNCG: RHP Grant Aycock (0-1, 7.27 ERA)
LIVE STATS

SUNDAY, April 30 | 1 p.m.
MER: TBA
UNCG: TBA
LIVE STATS

Mercer has a slight edge in the all-time series with UNCG, 14-12. The Bears swept the past two weekend series against the Spartans but fell in the SoCon tournament to UNCG last spring.

SCOUTING UNCG
The Spartans recently returned home to notch a 5-2 midweek win over High Point after being swept by BYU over the weekend. UNCG has only won one SoCon series this season, taking two games against Western Carolina on the opening weekend of conference play. The Spartans have not been swept in league play this season though, winning one game each against The Citadel, Samford, and VMI.

While Mercer has been excellent at logging double plays this season, UNCG has been too, ranking second in the nation with 42. Friday starter Julien Peissel has only logged one other start this season, and most appearances have been under three innings each. Grant Aycock is projected to start on Saturday having pitched a maximum of 3.1 innings in a single game this season. Aycock has also made 12 plate appearances on offense this season.

Dosi Jonas, who was named SoCon Player of the Week on April 3 for hitting two grand slams and recording 12 RBI, ranks 22^nd in the country in slugging percentage and first in the conference at .777. He is the only player with double-figure home runs for the Spartans this season.

RECENT ACTION
Last weekend was a high-scoring affair between Mercer and VMI as the Bears emerged with the series win, 2-1, after scoring 44 total runs. Carter Sanford was named to Collegiate Baseball's National Player of the Week list and selected as the Southern Conference Player of the Week after hitting a home run in all four games last week, going 8-for-12 with nine RBI.

During the week, Mercer played a competitive game against Georgia Tech, falling 6-3 in Atlanta. The Bears outhit the Yellow Jackets but could not string together enough plays to plate more runs.

The Bears have been named to a couple award watch lists recently. Trevor Austin was named to the Brooks Wallace Award Watch List which honors the nation's top shortstop. Wesley Franklin was added to the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Midseason Watch List which honors the country's top relief pitcher.

IN THE NUMBERS

Ty Dalley is tied for the Southern Conference lead in home runs with 13. Eric Toth is tied for second at 12.
Trevor Austin ranks seventh in Division I among active players for games played (222) and 26th for hits (228).
Mercer is 18th in Division I for fielding percentage at .980. Only 21 schools are fielding .980 or above.
The Bears have turned 36 double plays this season which ranks 19th in Division I.
Mercer ranks 20th in Division I in home runs with 71 this season.
Treyson Hughes ranks 17th in Division I and first in the SoCon for runs scored with 53.
Wes Franklin ranks 11th in Division I and first in the SoCon for saves with eight this season.

FOLLOW THE BEARS:
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Players Mentioned

Trevor Austin

Colton Cosper

Ty Dalley

Josh Farmer

Wesley Franklin

Treyson Hughes

Carter Sanford

Eric Toth

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