Best's Grand Slam Lifts Mercer Past Northeastern In Series Opener

Saturday, March 2

Macon, Ga.

3 p.m.

Mercer University

9-1

Northeastern

3-3

Northeastern

Mercer

Best's Grand Slam Lifts Mercer Past Northeastern In Series Opener

3/2/2024 5:26:00 PM | Baseball

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By: Makenzie Jones, jones_m@mercer.edu

MACON - Senior Noah Best hit a grand slam to highlight a 5-run fourth inning that helped power the Mercer Bears over the Northeastern Huskies, 6-3, in Saturday's series opener at OrthoGeorgia Park.

Senior Colton Cosper (1-0) got the win for Mercer (9-1). The right-hander went 5-1/3 innings, giving up two runs, both of them earned, on seven hits while allowing two walks and striking out five. Senior Reid Fagerstrom also pitched well, going 2-2/3 innings, surrendering one run on two hits, walking none and striking out four.

Best went 1-for-4 with a home run in addition to his four RBI for the Bears. Senior Brandon Prince put together a standout performance at the plate as well, going 3-for-4. Senior Carter Sanford also chipped in for Mercer, putting together one hit in four trips to the plate while adding a RBI.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Bears were trailing 2-0 in the fourth inning when they first put runs on the board. Mercer's offense started clicking and put up five runs, including a grand slam off the bat of Best.

The Bears then lost some of their lead, expanding on their advantage in the eighth inning after the Huskies cut it to 5-3. Mercer scored once on a RBI single off the bat of Sanford, which brought the score to 6-3 in favor of the Bears. The score remained 6-3 for the rest of the game, as Mercer held on for the win.

GAME NOTES
» Prince picked up three base knocks in the game for Mercer.
» Colton Cosper struck out five Huskies hitters.
» Best drove in four runs for Mercer.
» Mercer went 2-for-6 (.333) with runners in scoring position.
» Mercer pitchers faced 39 Northeastern hitters in the game, allowing seven ground balls and nine fly balls while striking out 11.
» Best led the Bears at the plate, going 1-for-4 with a home run and four RBI.
» Northeastern was led offensively by sophomore Matt Brinker who went 2-for-4 with a home run and an RBI.