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MACON, Ga. -- The Samford University baseball team was defeated by the Mercer Bears on Sunday, 7-1, in the Southern Conference series finale held at OrthoGeorgia Park.
 
Samford (19-13, 2-4 SoCon) will next be in action Tuesday at 6 p.m. (CT) as the Bulldogs play host to the No. 7-ranked Auburn Tigers at Joe Lee Griffin Field.
 
With its win, Mercer (28-6, 8-1 SoCon) extended its winning streak to seven consecutive games and remained in first place in the conference standings.
 
The Bears scored two runs in the first inning, two more in the second and added a third score in the third frame to garner an early 5-0 lead.
 
Samford's run was scored in the top of the fifth inning as true freshman third baseman Taylor Garris connected for his third home run of the season. Garris finished 2-for-3 at the plate Sunday and registered two of the Bulldogs' three base hits. He now leads the team in batting average this year with an impressive mark of .387.
 
Sophomore Troy Dixon tallied Samford's third hit of the game.
 
Mercer's Kevin Coulter (3-2) started on the hill for the Bears on Sunday and only allowed one earned run on three hits in the victory. He struck out four Bulldogs and only allowed a single base on balls.
 
Samford's Stephen Jones (2-2) started the game and suffered his second loss of the 2017 campaign. The Bulldogs' sophomore right-hander allowed three earned runs in two full innings of action.
 
Samford sent nine pitchers to the mound Sunday. Mercer rapped seven hits in the contest, but didn't score a run in its final two innings.
 
The Samford University baseball team will next be in action Tuesday at 6 p.m. (CT) as the Bulldogs welcome the seventh-ranked Auburn Tigers to Joe Lee Griffin Field for a key nonconference matchup. Earlier this season, Samford earned a 7-6 victory at Auburn on Feb. 28.
 
Tuesday is shaping up to be a big night for fans in attendance at Joe Lee Griffin Field. In addition to the marquee matchup between the Tigers and Bulldogs, following the game Samford baseball will host its annual Diamond Dig, where one lucky fan will win a $650 diamond cross necklace, courtesy of Steed's Jewelers.
 
In pregame ceremonies, Head Coach Keylor Chan and his 2016 SoCon Volleyball Champions will receive their championship rings.
 
Tuesday is also Dawson College Ministry Night with free pizza and t-shirts for Samford students, while supplies last. The Mello Yello Sampling Team will also be onsite with free samples of Mello Yello, the original smooth citrus soda.
 
And finally, Samford will partner with the ladies of Zeta Tau Alpha for a "Pink Out" to promote breast cancer awareness and education. A limited number of Pink Out socks will be available for purchase and donations to the ZTA Foundation and the Kay Yow Cancer Fund will be accepted throughout the night. 
 
For quick score updates, breaking news and links to all of your favorite articles featuring the Bulldogs, please follow @SamfordBaseball and @Samford_Sports on Twitter.

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