Wednesday, May 24, 2006

DeLand, Fla. (May 24, 2006) - Mercer exploded for nine third inning runs, and first-team All-Conference pitcher Brantley New retired the first eight of the first nine Buccaneers he faced, as the Bears cruised to a 11-3 victory over ETSU in the first round of the Atlantic Sun Baseball Championship presented by Progress Energy.

Leading 1-0 in the third inning, right fielder John Dortch was hit by a pitch to start the frame, and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by second baseman Sean McCahill.  Following a walk and a fly out, the Bears (33-24) strung together consecutive singles, scoring two runs.  After and intentional walk loaded the bases, pitcher Ryan Howe (Spartanburg, S.C.) struck his second batter of the inning, forcing home the inning's third run.  Left fielder Mark Jarvis drove home two more runs with a double down the left field line, and Dortch singled home two more in his second at bat of the inning.  McCahill drove home the inning's eighth run with a single to right center, and third baseman Tyler McCarty singled to center driving in the final run and putting the Bears up 10-1.

The Bucs (29-26) strung together three consecutive hits to open the fourth inning, with senior Shane Byrne (Johnson City, Tenn.) driving home fellow senior Chuck Hargis (Powell, Tenn.), but a strikeout and a double play quickly killed the rally.

ETSU added single runs in the fifth and seventh innings, but never mounted a credible threat, as New contained the powerful Buccaneer offense to three runs on seven hits while striking out six in seven innings of work, improving to 9-3.  Buccaneer starter Caleb Glafenhein (Knoxville, Tenn.) fell to 1-4 on the season, yielding one run on three hits in two innings of work.

The Bucs fall into the loser's bracket, and will face Campbell in an elimination game Thursday morning at 11 a.m.  Fans can watch every inning via live video streaming, and can listen to all the action through the internet or on WJCW 910 AM on the Mountain States Health Alliance Buccaneer Sports Network.