Mercer University
Toledo
Mercer Defeated By Toledo 5-4 in 10 Innings
2/16/2024 8:52:00 PM | Baseball
MACONÂ --The Mercer Bears fell 5-4 in a 10-inning matchup to the Toledo Rockets Friday.
Senior Jaxon O'Neal (0-1) took the loss on the mound for Mercer (0-1). The southpaw went one inning, giving up one run on one hit. Sophomore Jess Ackerman was a bright spot out of the bullpen, going three innings, surrendering one run on two hits, walking none and striking out two.
Offensively, the Bears were led by sophomore Ty Dalley, who went 1-for-3 on the day with two RBI. Senior Conner Todaro put together a noteworthy effort as well, going 2-for-4 with a double. Senior Antonio Brown also chipped in for Mercer, putting together one hit in four trips to the plate while adding a walk and a RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Bears got on the scoreboard first, starting in the second inning. Junior Parker Lester came across to score the lone run of the inning for Mercer and get them on the board.
The Rockets failed to push any runs across before the Bears offense got back to their scoring ways the next inning. Mercer scored once on an RBI single off the bat of senior Carter Sanford, which brought the Bears lead to 2-0.
Mercer's lead had evaporated by the time the sixth inning came around and turned into a 4-2 Toledo advantage, when the Bears cut that deficit to 4-3. The Bears scored once on an RBI single off the bat of Dalley.
Mercer kept the Rockets off the board before tying it up in the seventh. The Bears scored once on an RBI single off the bat of Brown, evening the score at 4-4. Toledo then scored one time over the remaining three innings to break the tie and grab the 5-4 win.
GAME NOTES
» Mercer pitchers faced 40 Toledo hitters in the game, allowing four ground balls and 14 fly balls while striking out nine.
» The Bears drew five walks from Toledo pitching.
» Dalley led the Bears at the plate, going 1-for-3 with two RBI.
» Toledo was led offensively by junior Kaleb Herbert, who went 2-for-4 with two RBI.
» Sophomore Jackson Bergman led the Rockets pitching staff, throwing 1.2 scoreless innings.
