MACON, Ga. – Mercer used six extra-base hits to best Eastern Kentucky, 14-9, in an offensive-minded series opener Friday night at OrthoGeorgia Park.
Despite staff ace Austin Cox not having his best stuff, the Bears (14-5) won their 14th game of the season behind 13 total hits and a pair of five-run frames in the third and fifth innings. Cox (4-0) still earned the win after allowing six runs on six hits over five innings. He struck out five Colonels (7-13).
Trey Truitt exploded with three extra-base hits, including a bases-clearing double in the third and a solo home run in the sixth, to lead the offensive attack.
After surrendering four runs in the top of the third, Mercer responded with a five-run home half and Truitt (three-run double), Le Bassett (RBI single) and RJ Yeager (RBI double) came through with key hits. Eastern Kentucky added two the following half inning to reclaim its lead, but a pinch-hit two-run single by Drew Lingo in the fifth provided the final lead change of the game, as Mercer led 8-6.
Nick Spear was electric out of the bullpen en route to his third save; the junior right-hander struck out seven batters over 2.2 scoreless innings while allowing only two hits.