Box Score

MACON, Ga. – Eastern Kentucky built a 4-0 lead and led 6-5, but lost its series opener at Mercer, 14-9, on Friday.

The series continues on Saturday.  Game two has been changed to a 4 p.m. start time.
 
Cornell Nixon got Eastern on the board when he scored on a throwing error to start a 4-run third inning.  Tyler Romanik drove in a run with a single down the left field line.  A double by Daniel Harris IV brought in two more runs and made it 4-0 in favor of the visitors.
 
The Bears responded in the bottom half of the third with five runs to take the lead.  Trey Truitt cleared the bases with a double to right center during the big inning. 
 
Another Mercer throwing error allowed two Colonels to score in the top of the fourth to take back the lead, 6-5.  However, the Bears scored five times in the bottom of the fifth inning to take a 10-6 advantage and never trailed again.
 
Romanik hit his second home run of the season in the top of the sixth.  The two run shot over the wall in left field drew Eastern Kentucky within two, 10-8.
 
Nixon finished the night 2-for-4 with two runs scored.  Romanik went 3-for-4 with two runs and three RBIs.
 
Truitt had three hits in four at bats with three runs scored and four RBIs.