Saturday, April 23, 2005

Contact: Jonathan Albert

MACON, Ga. – Shawn Berrett and Christian Grossman each had six hits in the two games as Mercer swept an Atlantic Sun baseball doubleheader from Campbell Saturday afternoon at Claude Smith Field.

The Bears jumped out on top in the first game with two runs in the third. The first run came across when Campbell starter Jordan Topal was called for a balk with a runner on third. Shawn Berrett, who would go a combined 6-for-7 with five RBI and three runs, singled home the second run. Mercer added another run in the fourth for a 3-0 with an Eric Renfroe RBI single.

In the fifth the Bears scored two more runs, but the play was overturned because of runner's interference. Ty Megahee dropped down a bunt in an attempt to advance runners to second and third, but was ruled to be outside the baseline. The play took both runs off the board and sent the runners back to where they were when the play began at first and second.

The Bears broke the game open with a six-run sixth. Mercer hitters had just two hits, but drew four walks and were hit twice to lead to the six-run frame. The big hit was a bases loaded double to left-center off the bat of Christian Grossman. Josh Thompson, Berrett and Megahee also had RBIs in the inning.

The Camels, who did not score until the eighth inning, sent 11 men to the plate in the ninth as they rallied for six runs. The six runs pulled CU to within three at 10-7 and when Mike Ange recorded the final out he represented the tying run. Ricky Howard had a two-run double, while Mike Ange and Tim Holt each had RBI singles.

Hunter Abercrombie (6-4) got the win for the Bears, while Topal got the loss for the Camels. Abercrombie worked eight innings and allowed just one run on four hits. Topal (0-1) gave up three runs on eight hits with six strikeouts in 4.2 innings on the day.

Shawn Berrett went 3-for-3 with three RBI and a run scored to lead the Bears offensively. Grossman, Renfroe and Thompson each had two hits for Mercer. Blick and Holt paced the Camels at the plate with two hits each.

In game two, the Camels scored three runs in the top of the first, and held a 3-1 lead after one complete. The Bears, who would plate at least one run in all but one inning, scored two runs in each the second and third innings to claim a 5-3 lead.

Mercer tacked on three more runs in the fourth to build an 8-3 advantage through four complete. Thompson, who had three hits in the game, belted a two-run home run after Daniel Hurst singled home Renfroe.

The Bears added two more runs in the seventh and capped off their scoring with another run in the eighth. The Camels failed to score again until the seventh despite having their leadoff man reach base in seven of the nine innings in game two.

Phillip Morrison (7-2) allowed four runs (three earned) on eight hits in six innings to earn the win. Lincoln Smith (3-6), Campbell's third pitcher of the day, took the loss after giving up five runs (all earned) on six hits in 1.2 innings.

Thompson, Berrett and Andrew Einert each collected three hits for the Bears, while Mike Priest and Joe Anthonsen each had two hits for CU.

Campbell (19-20, 7-11) does not play again until Friday when it begins a three-game series with A-Sun foe Georgia State. There is no mid-week game scheduled because of exams. [ Game One ] [ Game Two ]