Mercer Comes Within One Late But Falls In Game One Against The Citadel

Saturday, May 18

Macon, Ga.

2 p.m.

Mercer University

26-26, 6-13

The Citadel

20-31, 2-18

The Citadel

Mercer

Mercer Comes Within One Late But Falls In Game One Against The Citadel

5/18/2024 5:19:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score

MACON -- An two-RBI home run in the eighth inning cut the Bulldogs' lead to one, but it was not enough for Mercer (26-26, 6-13 SoCon) on Saturday. The Bears scored five runs, but could not hold The Citadel (20-31, 2-18 SoCon) at bay, and were bested 6-5.

Sophomore Jess Ackerman started and took the loss on the mound for Mercer. Senior Jaxon O'Neal was one to come out of the bullpen, going 1.1 shutout innings while allowing two hits, walking none and striking out three.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Mercer pushed across two runs in the second inning, the big blow coming on an RBI double from senior Carter Sanford.

The Bears then held the Bulldogs scoreless before expanding their lead in the fourth inning. Junior Bradley Frye came across to score the lone run of the inning for Mercer, which brought the Bears lead to 3-0.

The Citadel scored four in the sixth inning and added two in the eighth to take a 6-3 advantage. The Bears cut that deficit to 6-5 on sophomore Ty Dalley's two-run homer to right. The Bears were unable to get any closer, as neither team scored again in the ballgame.

GAME NOTES
» Mercer went 2-for-6 (.333) with runners in scoring position.
» Mercer pitchers faced 38 Citadel hitters in the game, allowing seven ground balls and 11 fly balls while striking out nine.
» Dalley led the Bears at the plate, going 1-for-4 with a home run and two RBI.
» Citadel was led offensively by junior Wells Sykes, who went 1-for-5 with two RBI.
» Sophomore Will Holmes led the Bulldogs pitching staff, throwing two innings of one-run ball.