Tweet

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Virginia Tech (0-1)	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	7	2
Mercer (1-0)	0	2	0	0	0	0	6	1	X	9	10	1
Claude Smith Field - 488 Box Score

MACON, Ga. – A six-run seventh inning by Mercer ballooned a tight one-run game into a seven-run cushion for the Bears and the hosts would go on to defeat Virginia Tech 9-1 in nonconference action Friday afternoon at Claude Smith Field.

The contest was the 2015 season-opening game for both teams.

Mercer (1-0) put the first runs on the board in the bottom of the second on a Trey Truitt two-run home run that scored Jackson Ware.

The Hokies cut that deficit in half in the top of the third on a solo home run by Alex Perez, only the second long ball of his career.

Tech (0-1) had a chance to tie the game in the fifth when Saige Jenco doubled down the left-field line, but Logan Bible, who singled to lead off the inning, was thrown out at the plate.

The Bears broke the game open in the bottom of the seventh. Back-to-back RBI doubles by Kyle Lewis and Charlie Madden gave Mercer a 4-1 lead, and later in the inning a two-out bases-loaded double by Danny Edgeworth pushed the home team’s advantage to 8-1.

Ryan Askew picked up the pitching win for the Bears after going 5.2 innings, allowing one run on six hits and striking out four, while Morgan Pittman earned the save. Sean Keselica took the loss on the mound after throwing five innings for the Hokies, allowing two runs on four hits and striking out five.

The two teams will continue a three-game nonconference series with a single game on Saturday afternoon starting at 2 p.m.

For updates on Virginia Tech baseball, follow the Hokies on Twitter Follow @VT_Baseball