Ackerman's Eight-Strikeout Showing Leads Mercer Past Florida A&M

Wednesday, February 28

Macon, Ga.

7 p.m.

Mercer University

8-1

Florida A&M

4-5

Florida A&M

Mercer

Ackerman's Eight-Strikeout Showing Leads Mercer Past Florida A&M

2/28/2024 10:52:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score

MACON -- Sophomore Jess Ackerman dominated on Wednesday, fanning eight Florida A&M (4-5, 0-0) hitters over four innings of work to help power the Bears (8-1, 0-0) past the Rattlers 8-5.

In addition to his eight strikeouts, Ackerman tossed four shutout innings while giving up one hit and walking none for Mercer. Freshman Cade Cosper also made an impact on the mound for the Bears, throwing one scoreless inning while allowing no hits, with no walks and three strikeouts.

At the plate, the Bears were led by junior Bradley Frye, who went 2-for-5 on the day with a home run and two RBI. Sophomore Ty Dalley compiled a standout performance at the plate as well, going 1-for-4 with a triple and two RBI. Senior Antonio Brown put together two hits in three trips to the plate while adding two RBI.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Mercer's offense put three runs on the scoreboard in the second inning.

The Rattlers failed to push any runs across before the Bears offense got back to their scoring ways the next inning. Mercer picked up a run on Bradley Frye's leadoff home run off of junior Tanner Walker, which brought the score to 4-0 in favor of the Bears.

Mercer held Florida A&M scoreless before building their lead to 5-0 the following inning. The Bears scored once on an RBI single off the bat of Antonio Brown.

In the next inning, the Bears notched a couple on a two-run triple from Ty Dalley, bringing the score to 7-0 in favor of Mercer.

Florida A&M got within 7-2 until the Bears scored again in the sixth inning to stretch its lead to 8-2. Mercer scored once on an RBI single off the bat of Frye. Florida A&M put three runs on the scoreboard before the game was over, but the Bears held on for the 8-5 win.

GAME NOTES
» Jess Ackerman struck out eight Rattlers hitters.
» Every Mercer starter reached base safely in the win.
» The Mercer pitching staff combined to strike out 14 Florida A&M hitters.
» Mercer's highest scoring inning was the second, when it pushed three runs across.
» The Bears had control of the rest of the game after jumping ahead of the Rattlers 3-0 in the bottom of the second.
» Mercer pitchers faced 37 Florida A&M hitters in the game, allowing eight ground balls and five fly balls while striking out 14.
» The Bears drew seven walks from Florida A&M pitching.
» Bradley Frye led the Bears at the plate, going 2-for-5 with a home run and two RBI.
» Florida A&M was led offensively by freshman Josue Figueroa, who went 1-for-4 with a home run and two RBI.
» Senior Grant Harrison led the Rattlers pitching staff, throwing one shutout inning.