April 18, 2008
Box Score
KENNESAW, Ga.--A grand slam by Jace Whitmer staked the Owls to a lead, but Mercer scored six unanswered runs to defeat Kennesaw State 8-6 in the opener of an Atlantic Sun Conference series Friday night at Stillwell Stadium.
After Mercer scored two runs in the second on a homer by Joe Winker, the Owls scored six straight runs to take the lead. The scoring started in the third when Tyler Stubblefield singled, stole second, then scored on a single by Ric Bishop.
The Owls loaded the bases in the fourth on singles by Jacob Robbins and Martin Baker and a hit by pitch for Jay Morrow. With one out, Whitmer connected on a 1-0 offering for a grand slam onto the roof of the Bailey Building that makes up the wall in left. The blast gave the Owls a 5-2 edge.
The Owls tacked on another run in the sixth. Bucky Smith tripled down the line in right to start the inning, then came home on a wild pitch from Justin Boyette.
KSU was cruising along until the seventh when the Bears scored five to take control. The big blow came on a two-run double to right by Matt Crawford.
Mercer added an insurance run in the eighth as John Dortch homered over the wall in left to give the Bears an 8-6 advantage.
The Owls came back to load the bases in the bottom of the ninth. Bishop walked and Morrow singled with one out, with Drew Fowlkes battling to draw a two-out walk to load the bases. But it was not to be, as Curtis Van Wyck grounded out to first to end the contest.
Justice French (1-2) earned the win for mercer, allowing a run on a hit in one inning of work.
Kyle Heckathorn (1-2) took the loss for KSU, giving up seven runs (five earned) in 6.1 innings of action.
The Owls (20-19, 11-8) will return to the field tomorrow to battle the Bears (17-23, 11-11) in an A-Sun doubleheader. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m., weather permitting.
