Baseball Team Completes Sweep of Bethune-Cookman

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 MACON, Ga. – The Mercer baseball team once again took the lead early and held on for a 6-4 win on Sunday at Claude Smith Field to complete the weekend sweep of Bethune-Cookman.

Eric Renfroe had a huge day for the Bears, going 3-for-3 including his first home run of 2006, with three RBIs and two runs scored.

“I was glad to see us come out and finish off a sweep,” head coach Craig Gibson said. “Bethune-Cookman is a good team, and it took three great efforts from our squad from top to bottom in order to come out on top. We were able to get that effort, and I am very happy”

Mercer (8-2) one again got out early, taking the lead in the top of the second inning. Josh Thompson was hit by a pitch followed by Renfroe notching his first hit of the game, an infield single. 

After a balk advanced the runners to second and third, Jason Lowey chopped a grounder allowing Thompson to slide in safely at the plate.  Lowey was caught trying to steal but was able to stay in a rundown long enough to allow Renfroe to cross the plate.

Bethune-Cookman (3-7) answered in the top of the third when Kevin Belliard doubled, then Jose Ortiz and Jose Almonte hit consecutive singles, to cut the lead in half, but could not get closer than the one run gap.

Shawn Barrett did the job on both ends, getting the start on the mound and throwing six innings, allowing just two earned runs. He was also 2-for-4 at the plate with an RBI and a run scored.

Mercer travels to Clemson, S.C., to take on its second #1 ranked team of the season. The Clemson Tigers are ranked #1 by Colligate Baseball and are coming off a weekend sweep of James Madison. Mercer and Clemson are scheduled to start at 4 p.m. on Friday.