Mercer Loses By One In Walk-Off

Sunday, May 12

Cullowhee, N.C.

1 p.m.

Mercer University

25-25, 5-12

Western Carolina

26-23, 11-7

Mercer

Western Carolina

5/12/2024 5:23:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score

CULLOWHEE, N.C. -- The Mercer Bears (26-25, 5-12 SoCon) reached a lead as large as nine but fell 14-13 to the Western Carolina Catamounts (26-23, 11-7 SoCon) on Sunday.

Senior Fred Wilson came out of the bullpen for Mercer and took the loss. Every Mercer pitcher who appeared in the game was accountable for at least one run.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Mercer opened up the game with a solo home run by Parker Lester. Lester almost hit another home run in his second trip to the plate, but it was ruled a double after getting stuck in the top of the fence. The Bears scored in the first four innings, taking a 10-1 lead before giving up six runs in the bottom of the fourth. The game was tied at 10 in the fifth inning and at 13 in the ninth. Western Carolina's Mason Holton hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth to end the game.

GAME NOTES
» The Bears got three-hit games from both junior Parker Lester and junior Jackson Cherry.
» Every Bears starter reached base safely in the loss.
» Six Mercer hitters had multiple base knocks in the ballgame.
» Mercer batters had a total of 15 hits in the game.
» Mercer left 11 runners stranded on base in the loss.
» The Bears out-hit the Catamounts at a 15-13 clip.
» Mercer pitchers faced 50 Western Carolina hitters in the game, allowing five ground balls and 16 fly balls while striking out four.
» The Bears drew five walks from Western Carolina pitching.
» Lester led the Bears at the plate, going 3-for-5 with a double, a home run and an RBI.
» Western Carolina was led offensively by senior Drew Needham, who went 2-for-3 with two home runs and five RBI.
» Senior Jonathan Todd led the Catamounts pitching staff, throwing one scoreless inning.