Mercer Wins Game One Against The Citadel

Thursday, May 16

Macon, Ga.

6 p.m.

Mercer University

26-25, 6-12

The Citadel

19-31, 1-18

The Citadel

Mercer

5/16/2024 8:23:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score

MACON -- The Mercer Bears (26-25, 6-12 SoCon) took a 2-0 lead in the first inning and never surrendered the advantage on the way to a 3-2 win over the Citadel Bulldogs (19-31, 1-18 SoCon) on Thursday.

Junior Colton Cosper got the win for Mercer. The southpaw went eight innings, giving up two earned runs on four hits, allowing two walks and striking out three. Bryce Hawkins closed out the game for the Bears.

In the batter's box, the Bears were led by junior Parker Lester, who went 1-for-4 on the day with a home run and two RBI. Senior Max Kops compiled a noteworthy effort as well, going 1-for-3 with a home run and an RBI. Sophomore Ty Dalley also chipped in for Mercer, putting together two hits in three trips to the plate while adding a double and a walk.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Parker Lester got the Bears on the board in the bottom of the first inning with a home run - his second straight game with a homer in his first at bat.

The Bulldogs put one run on the board in the seventh inning, bringing the score to 2-1, but Mercer picked up a run on Kops' two-out solo home run off of senior Ben Hutchins, which brought the score to 3-1 in favor of the Bears. The Citadel scored one more in the eighth, but Mercer held on for the 3-2 win.

GAME NOTES
» Mercer grabbed a 2-0 lead in the bottom half of the first and didn't surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
» Cosper put together eight innings of two-run ball for the Bears.
» The Bears out-hit the Bulldogs at a 7-4 clip.
» Mercer pitchers faced 34 Citadel hitters in the game, allowing 10 ground balls and 12 fly balls while striking out four.
» Lester led the Bears at the plate, going 1-for-4 with a home run and two RBI.
» Citadel was led offensively by sophomore Matthew Lively, who went 1-for-3 with a home run and an RBI.
» Junior Sam Swygert led the Bulldogs pitching staff, throwing two shutout innings.