Mercer Hosts Columbia For Weekend Series

Friday, February 20

Macon, Ga.

6 p.m.

Mercer University

Columbia

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2/19/2026 11:30:00 AM | Baseball

By: Rylee Bamberger, Rylee.m.bamberger@live.mercer.edu

MACON – After dominating in-state rival Georgia State on Wednesday night, the Mercer baseball team prepares to host the Columbia Lions at OrthoGeorgia Park this weekend.

Mercer vs. Columbia | Friday, February 20 – Sunday, February 22 | 6/2/1:00 PM EST

Claude Smith Field at OrthoGeorgia Park | Macon, Ga.

Last Meeting: N/A

All-Time Series: First Meeting

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Expected Pitchers:
Friday: RHP Garrett Lambert (0-0, 2.08 ERA) vs. RHP Alex Sotiropoulos (0-0, -.-- ERA)
Saturday: RHP Miguel Hugas (1-0, 1.80 ERA) vs. RHP Tomas Lopez (0-0, -.-- ERA)
Sunday: LHP Jess Ackerman (1-0, 4.91 ERA) vs. RHP Thomas Santana (0-0, -.-- ERA)

Notables:

Logan Shepherd mashed two home runs against Georgia State on Wednesday, February 18 becoming the first Bear to hit two or more home runs in a single game since, well, himself this past Saturday against Troy.
10 different Mercer pitchers took the mound in Wednesday night's win over Georgia State. The Bears' stable allowed zero runs and limited the Panthers to just three hits.
Wednesday night's 8-0 win was the first shutout for the Bears all season. In 2025, Mercer only maintained three shutout wins with two of them at OrthoGeorgia Park.

Looking at the Lions:

Columbia is coming off its 17^th Ivy League Championship after finishing 2025 with a 30-19 record. The Lions were picked to finish first in the Ivy League Preseason Poll.
The Lions have seven returners that received All-Ivy League honors last season including First Teamers Jack Kail and Cole Fellows. Fellows earned the Blair Bat in 2025 after he posted the highest batting average in Ivy League play.
Two-time All-Ivy League pitcher Thomas Santana is the Lions' leading returning arm. The senior appeared in 14 games last season, made 13 starts, and posted a 5.84 ERA with 60 strikeouts in 61.2 innings.
Junior RHP Tomas Lopez was selected to represent Brazil in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Lopez is one of just five collegiate players selected to participate in this event.