MACON, Ga. – Mercer pounded out 14 hits while allowing just six en route to a 10-2 win over Florida A&M Saturday at Claude Smith Field.
Hunter Abercrombie allowed just four hits and two runs, one earned, in six innings. The Mercer bullpen closed out the game with just two more hits allowed in three innings of work.
“Hunter [Abercrombie] came out and set the tone with a solid performance today,” head coach Craig Gibson said. “I think we did a good job at the plate as well. We were able to keep the pressure on and got some timely hits. It was a good performance today, and we need to keep it rolling.”
After Abercrombie retired Florida A&M (0-3) in order in the top of the first, Sean McCahill led off the Mercer (2-0) half of the inning with a double to center field. He advanced to third on a wild pitch and then scored when Josh Thompson popped a high fly ball that fell between two Rattlers.
Tyler McCarty, making the first start of his Mercer career, delivered a two-RBI single in the bottom of the second inning, pushing Shawn Barrett and Mark Jarvis across the plate. McCahill added an RBI single down the left field line, driving in Billy Shaughnessy.
Andrew Einert doubled to right-center to lead off the fifth inning. Jarvis singled up the middle, advancing Einert to third. An errant pick-off attempt allowed Einert to score. Shaughnessy then delivered an RBI single to score Jarvis.
In the bottom of the sixth, McCahill drew a lead-off walk and was promptly cleared off the bases when John Dortch homered to left.
Tyler McCarty was 3-for-4 with two RBIs in his first start as a Bear. McCahill, Barrett and Shaughnessy each had two hits in the game. Jarvis was 1-for-2, scored two runs and added an RBI.
Mike Narveson, J.C. Daugherty and Lath Guyer combined to close out the game, allowing just two hits. Daugherty and Guyer each recorded two strikeouts.
Mercer and FAMU close out the series Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
