April 19, 2008
Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score
KENNESAW, Ga.--Senior Jay Morrow's double down the line in right scored Martin Baker with the winning run as Kennesaw State rallied from a 4-3 deficit to defeat Mercer, 5-4, in the second game of a doubleheader Saturday afternoon at Stillwell Stadium. The Owls dropped the first game of the Atlantic Sun Conference doubleheader, 5-2.
Baker had tied the game two batters earlier with a two-out single back up the middle to score Tyler Stubblefield, who drew a one-out walk and stole second. After a walk to Ric Bishop put runners on first and second, Morrow laced a 2-1 offering from Josh Lowey down the line in right to score Baker with the game-winning run.
"Martin really had the big hit," said Morrow. "It's a lot easier to hit when you're trying to drive in the go-ahead run instead of the tying run."
The Owls (21-20, 12-9) led after the first inning thanks in part to an odd play. With Jacob Robbins on second and Baker on first, Ric Bishop lifted a fly ball to the wall in right center. After a leaping attempt at a catch, the ball landed safely for a hit; however, Bishop passed Baker on the base paths in the process and was called out. Baker reached third and Robbins scored to give the Owls the early lead.
Baker would score one batter later on a ground out by Morrow.
Mercer (18-24, 12-12) tied the game in the third inning, setting the stage for late-inning heroics on both sides. A homer by Tyler Brown gave Mercer a 3-2 lead in the top of the seventh, but KSU tied it in the home half when Bishop doubled to left center, advanced on an error, then scored on an error on Bishop's grounder to second.
In the eighth, Mercer took the lead on an RBI double by Tyler McCarty. That would set the stage for Baker and Morrow's heroics in the bottom of the inning.
Ryan Rodebaugh (2-0) earned the win with 4.2 innings of relief work. Rodebaugh allowed two runs on four hits, while starter Wes Tignor gave up two runs on five hits in 4.1 innings of action.
John Hoelzer (2-5) took the loss with two runs allowed in 1.1 innings.
In game one, the Bears rode the long ball to victory. Mercer scored four runs in the third via a Mike Armstrong solo homer and a three-run blast by John Moreland.
That would be enough for Dan April (2-3). April allowed a homer to Morrow to account for one run, and an RBI ground out by Baker for the second. The Owls managed seven hits against the southpaw.
Chad Jenkins took the loss for KSU. Jenkins became more effective in the later stages of his outing, allowing just two hits after the third inning. Jenkins pitched seven frames, allowing five runs.
