April 28, 2007
Box Score
MACON, Ga. - The Kennesaw State Owls jumped out to a 3-0 before Mercer rallied back to defeat the Owls, 4-3, in the first game of a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at Claude Smith Field.
Kennesaw State led, 3-0, before the Bears rallied off starter Cacey Rogers in the bottom of the sixth inning. Mercer's Matt Crawford (2-for-4) led off the inning with a single to shortstop and Billy Shaughnessy (2-for-4) followed with a double to left field, putting runners on the corners with nobody out.
A wild pitch by Rogers scored Crawford and moved Shaughnessy to third base before Mercer right fielder Josh Thompson (1-for-3) provided the big blow for the Bears with a game-tying, two-run home run.
Rogers did not last through the sixth inning as an error and a hit batsman led to the arrival of reliever Justin Freeman. Rogers allowed three runs while surrendering only four hits in five and two-third innings of work.
Kennesaw State had a chance to tie the game in the top of the ninth inning when Martin Baker (2-for-5) singled with two outs and Jay Morrow (0-for-2) was hit by a pitch. However, the Owls leader in runs batted in, Jace Whitmer (1-for-5), struck out to end the game.
The Owls took the lead in the top of the third inning when Jacob Robbins (1-for-4) led off with a single and Baker reached on a drag bunt down the first base line. After Robbins was thrown out trying to steal third, Whitmer drove in Baker with a single to center field.
KSU scored twice more in the top of the sixth inning. Matt Dallas (2-for-3), who had two doubles on the day, started the big inning with a double to the gap in left center field. Andrew Martin (1-for-3), who had two hits on Friday night, singled through the right side scoring Dallas. Jerome Wooley (2-for-3) gave Kennesaw State a three-run lead with an RBI-single to center field.
Jason Lowey (4-2) picked up the win for Mercer in relief of Boone Webster. Cory Gearrin picked up his 10th save after shutting down the Owls in the ninth inning. Freeman (1-2) took the loss in relief for Kennesaw State. Justin Edwards pitched a scoreless eighth inning for the Owls.
The Owls and the Bears conclude their three-game series with the second game of Saturday's doubleheader.
