Fifth Inning Runs Propel Mercer Past Oklahoma State In Game Two Of Doubleheader

Saturday, March 9

Stillwater, Okla.

5 p.m.

Mercer University

10-5

Oklahoma State

9-6

Mercer

Oklahoma State

Fifth Inning Runs Propel Mercer Past Oklahoma State In Game Two Of Doubleheader

3/9/2024 7:56:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score Photo Gallery

STILLWATER, Okla. -- The Mercer Bears (10-5, 0-0) took a 1-0 lead in the third inning and never trailed from there on the way to a 4-1 win over the Oklahoma State Cowboys (9-6, 0-0) on Saturday.

Senior Graham Yntema (2-1) got the win for Mercer. The left-hander went five shutout innings, giving up three hits, two walks and striking out four. Senior Reid Fagerstrom also pitched well, going three innings, surrendering one run on two hits, walking none and striking out three.

Senior Alex Ramirez led the way offensively for the Bears, going 2-for-4 in the ballgame with a home run and an RBI. Junior Jackson Cherry put together a noteworthy day at the dish as well, going 2-for-4 with two RBI. Senior Antonio Brown also chipped in, going 2-for-4 for Mercer with a double. Brown also recorded seven putouts from center field.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Alex Ramirez put Mercer on the board in the third inning with a leadoff home run off junior Brian Holiday.

The Cowboys failed to push any runs across before the Bears built on their lead in the fifth inning. Mercer scored three runs in the frame, buoyed by a two-run single off the bat of Jackson Cherry, which brought the Bears lead to 4-0. Oklahoma State put one run on the scoreboard before the game was over, but Mercer still held on for the 4-1 win.

GAME NOTES
» Mercer took the lead at 1-0 in the top half of the third and never lost that advantage.
» The Bears out-hit the Cowboys at a 9-6 clip.
» Mercer pitchers faced 35 Oklahoma State hitters in the game, allowing six ground balls and 12 fly balls while striking out nine.
» Ramirez led the Bears at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a home run and an RBI.
» Oklahoma State was led offensively by freshman Avery Ortiz, who went 1-for-4 with a home run and an RBI.
» Sophomore Brennan Phillips led the Cowboys pitching staff, throwing 2.2 shutout innings.