May 17, 2011

MACON, Ga. – The Mercer baseball team wraps up its non-conference schedule when it hosts in-state rival Georgia State on Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. at Claude Smith Field.

 

The state of Georgia has been kind to Mercer this season, as the Bears have posted a combined 7-2 record against the likes of Georgia, Georgia Tech, Kennesaw State, Georgia Southern and Savannah State.

 

The lone thorn in the Orange and Black's dominance of the Peach State this season has been Georgia State, who has already captured the first two games of the season series against Mercer. The Panthers downed the Bears 14-5 in Macon on February 22, and pulled away for a 9-4 in Atlanta on April 5.

 

Last Time Out

 

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Senior Joe Winker hit a two-run home run in the ninth inning of game two to give the Mercer baseball team a doubleheader sweep over USC Upstate on Sunday afternoon at Harley Park.

 

Mercer (33-17, 15-11 A-Sun) won game one 11-3 and took a tightly contested game two by a score of 5-3 over USC Upstate.

 

Sophomore David Teasley picked up the win in game one of the double dip after allowing just one earned run over 6.1 innings of outstanding relief.

 

Junior Jacob Tanis finished the day going 5-for-8 with four RBI and two runs scored while freshman Derrick Workman finished the doubleheader off going 5-for-9 with three RBI.

 

Scouting the Opposition

 

Georgia State (35-17, 15-12 CAA) enters play on Tuesday after taking a huge weekend series from fellow CAA member William & Mary. The Panthers feature one of the most potent offenses in the country that features six seniors. CAA Preseason Player of the Year Mark Micowski headlines the group, leading the team in batting average (.373), runs scored (48) and doubles (17). Freshman Sam Agnew-Wieland (2-1, 3.10 ERA) is expected to get the start in a proposed staff day for the Panthers.  

 

Quick Hits

 

- Senior starting pitcher Justice French was named the Atlantic Sun Pitcher of the Week as announced by the conference office on Monday morning. French had a huge week on the mound for Mercer, compiling a 1-0 record with a 0.84 ERA in 10.2 innings pitched.