MACON, Ga.—A furious ninth-inning rally fell just one run short for the University of Evansville baseball team on Friday afternoon, as the Purple Aces dropped an 11-10 decision to the Mercer Bears at Claude Smith Field in Macon, Georgia.

 

After Mercer used a pair of home runs in the seventh inning to rally from a 5-4 deficit and eventually build an 11-5 lead heading into the ninth inning, the Purple Aces answered back by sending nine men to the plate in a five-run rally. Junior outfielder Greg Wallace delivered a two-out, two-run double with the bases loaded to begin the rally, and sophomore second baseman Trentt Copeland followed with a two-run single to trim the deficit to 11-9.

 

Junior outfielder Nate Smith then followed with his second double of the game to drive in Copeland and cut the deficit to 11-10. Smith would eventually advance to third base on a passed ball with two outs, but Mercer’s Chris Newell was able to strike out UE catcher Chris Pearson to end the threat and preserve the 11-10 victory.

 

“I thought that our guys really competed and battled well at the plate, especially in the late innings,” said UE head coach Wes Carroll. “To rally like we did in the ninth inning shows the type of fight and character this team has this year. But, once again, we have to do a better job on the mound to be able to compete in the Valley.

 

“Our starter today really struggled and only lasted two innings, and that can’t happen in the first game of a weekend series. We need our starter to set the tone for us on the mound. Tomorrow is going to be a long day at the park with two nine-inning games, so hopefully, our two starters tomorrow will be able to go out and give us quality starts and set the tone for the day.”

 

Smith led four Purple Aces with multi-hit efforts by going 3-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI. Copeland and Wallace both added two hits and two RBI as well, while freshman shortstop Eric Stamets went 2-for-4 with three runs scored and three stolen bases for the Purple Aces. Junior third baseman Cody Fick also launched his first home run of the season.

 

Mercer outfielder Thomas Carroll launched his third home run of the year, while second baseman Michael Langley went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI to lead the Bears.

 

With the victory, Mercer improves to 3-2 on the season. Evansville, meanwhile, drops to 0-4 on the season with the loss. UE will go in search of its first victory of 2010 on Saturday afternoon, as the same two teams will continue the series with a doubleheader scheduled for 12 noon central time.