CLEMSON, S.C. – Mercer knocked off #1 Clemson in game one of a double-header but the Tigers rebounded to win the second game on Sunday at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.
Shawn Barrett earned the win in game one for Mercer (9-4), allowing just three hits and one earned run in seven innings pitched.
“In game one, we got the kind of total team performance I knew we would need to beat a team of this caliber,” head coach Craig Gibson said. “Clemson is one of the best teams I have ever seen, and to come out and get a win in one the best environments in college baseball, that says a lot about our team right now. We need to work hard to finish a series if we want to get to the next level. But I will go home happy this weekend.”
Clemson (5-1) took the lead early in game one, when Herman Demmink led off the game with a single. A sacrifice bunt moved Demmink into scoring position where Tyler Colvin drove him in with a single up the middle. The game would stay at 1-0 into the eighth inning.
The Bears finally got their offense on track when Barrett knocked a one-out double into left-center field. Josh Thompson reached on a throwing error that allowed Barrett to advance to third. Barrett was caught at the plate on an attempted squeeze. Tyler McCarty singled on a bunt advancing Thompson to second. Jason Lowey delivered an RBI single to left center, knotting the game at 1-1.
Steve Karwatt came to the plate and put the Bears on top with a two RBI single to right-center. He was caught trying to take second on the play to end the inning with Mercer leading 3-2.
The Tigers rallied with a run in the bottom of the inning but Mercer closer Andrew Urena ended the threat in the eighth.
Urena earned his second save over a #1 ranked team this season by tossing a perfect ninth inning with two strikeouts.
Clemson jumped ahead in game two and never looked back scoring three runs in the bottom of the first inning en route to a 9-4 win.
Eric Renfroe had a team high four hits in the series. Shawn Barrett, Sean McCahill and John Dortch had three hits each.
Kyle Johnston and Blake Quarles each tossed two scoreless innings for the Bears.
Mercer doesn’t have long to reflect on the weekend. In-state rival Georgia Southern comes to Macon for a mid-week tilt on Wednesday at Claude Smith Field. First pitch is schedule for 6 p.m.
