Sanford Racks Up Three Hits In Mercer's Loss To Western Carolina

Saturday, May 11

Cullowhee, N.C.

2 p.m.

Mercer University

25-24, 5-11

Western Carolina

25-23, 10-7

Mercer

Western Carolina

Sanford Racks Up Three Hits In Mercer's Loss To Western Carolina

5/11/2024 5:09:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score

CULLOWHEE, N.C. -- The Mercer Bears (26-24, 5-11 SoCon) scored just three runs in the second straight game in a 10-3 loss to the Western Carolina Catamounts (25-23, 10-7 SoCon) on Saturday.

Sophomore Jess Ackerman started and took the loss on the mound for Mercer. He struck out three of his first six batters. Jeb Johson pitched 3.0 innings later in the game and struck out four batters.

In addition to Carter Sanford's three hits, junior Jackson Cherry went 1-for-4 at the plate with a double, a walk and two RBI. Junior Parker Lester also helped out for Mercer, putting together one hit in two trips to the plate while adding three walks.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Bears didn't score until the sixth inning when they were facing a seven-run deficit. Mercer scored twice on a two-run double off the bat of Cherry.

The Bears' deficit grew to 10-2 in the eighth inning. Mercer scored once in the ninth on an RBI single off the bat of freshman Ely Brown, which tightened the Catamounts' lead to 10-3. The ballgame ended with that ninth inning rally falling short.

GAME NOTES
» Sanford led the Bears, compiling three hits in the ballgame.
» Mercer left 11 runners stranded on base in the loss.
» Mercer pitchers faced 43 Western Carolina hitters in the game, allowing six ground balls and eight fly balls while striking out seven.
» The Bears drew six walks from Western Carolina pitching.
» Cherry led the Bears at the plate, going 1-for-4 with a double and two RBI.
» Western Carolina was led offensively by senior James Hinson, who went 1-for-4 with a home run and an RBI.
» Senior Dante Visconti led the Catamounts' pitching staff, throwing six innings of two-run ball.