Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score

MACON, Ga. – After dropping game one of the afternoon, the Mercer baseball team used the long ball to salvage a split in its doubleheader against Evansville on Saturday afternoon at Claude Smith Field.

Evansville captured game one of the doubleheader 9-6 while Mercer came out on top in game two, 6-4.

The split moves Mercer's record to 4-3 on the young season while Evansville broke into the win column with the split and now sits at 1-5 overall after the day's action.

In game one, the Purple Aces came out of the gates swinging against Bears starter Justice French. Evansville scored three runs in the first, two in the third and two more in the fourth to jump out to a 7-0 lead. Junior Greg Wallace played a big part in the Purple Aces offensive surge, hitting two home runs in the first and third innings.

Mercer put itself right back into the game in the fifth, when it scored five runs in the frame to close to within 7-5. Junior John Moreland spearheaded the charge with a two-run home run.

Evansville scored two huge insurance runs in the sixth inning to go back up 9-5 and secure the win. Defense was the problem for the Bears in game one, as they committed four errors which led to four unearned runs.

Game two featured three Mercer home runs and a stellar pitching performance by sophomore Brandon Love. Love went a career-high 7.2 innings, allowing just three runs on three hits while striking out a career-high six.

“I am very proud of Brandon and the way he pitched tonight,” head coach Craig Gibson said. “He gave us a big lift and we took advantage of that by pulling out the win.”

Mercer backed up Love's brilliant performance with plenty of offensive fireworks. The Bears received two home runs from sophomore Jacob Tanis and another dinger from Moreland, his second of the day, to take the 6-4 win.

“Tanis is really starting to show the he is one of the premier players in our league,” said Gibson. “We are excited to have a chance to win the series tomorrow against a very good Evansville club.”

Mercer will be in action again on Sunday as it concludes its four-game weekend series with Evansville. Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Claude Smith Field