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Lucas Steele grand slam vs Mercer 2024 SoCon Tournament
7
Mercer MER 28-28
9
Winner Samford SAM 35-20
Mercer MER
28-28
7
Final
9
Samford SAM
35-20
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Mercer MER 0 0 2 4 0 0 1 0 0 7 9 1
Samford SAM 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 0 X 9 7 1

W: Ross, Michael (13-0) L: Jess Ackerman (5-6) S: Lore, Carson (8)

Game Recap: Baseball |

Nine-Run Inning Propels Bulldogs To Thrilling Win Over Mercer In SoCon Tournament Opener

GREENVILLE, S.C. – The second-seeded Samford University baseball team scored nine runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, powered by a grand slam by catcher Lucas Steele, to overcome a seven-run deficit for a 9-7 win over the seventh-seeded Mercer Bears in the Southern Conference Tournament Friday afternoon at Fluor Field.
 
"This was just incredible," Samford head coach Tony David said. "We talk all the time about how we feel at some point we're going to get ours, and this was an absurd version of that. It was a weird game because, (Mercer pitcher Fred) Wilson did a great job for them. We weren't getting a ton of good swings early on fastballs, which is where we live. We started stringing together much better at-bats, we just weren't getting anything to show for it. And then it was just one big at bat after another in the big inning."
 
With the win, Samford improved its season record to 35-20, while Mercer falls to 28-28 with the loss. Samford will now play Wofford on Saturday at 11 a.m. (CT). The was David's 100th career win as a collegiate head coach, all at Samford.
 
Samford trailed, 7-0 entering the seventh inning. Andrew Bennett and Steele led the inning off with back-to-back singles. Aaron Walton then reached base on an error, driving in Bennett for Samford's first run of the game. Angelo Prieto then hit a three-run home run to left field to cut the lead to 7-4.
 
Josh Rodriguez and Garrett Staton were each hit by a pitch to give Samford two runners on with two outs in the seventh. John Anderson then singled up the middle to drive in Rodriguez to make the score 7-5. Bennett then walked to load the bases. Steele then hit a grand slam to dead center field to give Samford the 9-7 lead.
 
Mercer had scored two runs in the third inning and four runs in the fourth to take a 6-0 lead. In the third inning, Bradley Frye hit a two-run home run to put the Bears on top, 2-0. In the fourth inning, Ely Brown had a two-run single and Conner Todaro hit a two-run homer for a six-run Mercer lead.
 
The Bears added a run in the top of the seventh inning to push their lead to 7-0. Ty Dalley hit a solo home run to right-center field for a seven-run Mercer lead and setting the stage for Samford's huge comeback.
 
Samford starting pitcher Michael Ross (13-0) set a school record with his 13th win. He tossed 7.0 innings, giving up seven runs on eight hits to get the win. Carson Lore picked up his eighth save of the season, tossing the final 2.0 innings, allowing no runs on one hit.
 
For Samford at the plate, Steele went 2-for-4 with a grand slam and four RBI. Prieto drove in three runs with his home run in a 1-for-3 performance. Bennett also had two hits for Samford.
 
For Mercer, Jess Ackerman (5-6) took the loss on the mound, pitched 1.1 innings in relief, giving up two runs on one hit. Todaro went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI to lead the Bears at the plate.
 
Saturday's game against Wofford is set for an 11 a.m. (CT) start from Fluor Field. To follow all of the action at this week's SoCon Tournament, click on the following link: TOURNAMENT CENTRAL.


 
FOLLOW THE BULLDOGS:
For the latest news and information on Samford baseball, visit the official website for Samford Athletics at SamfordSports.com. Fans can also follow the Bulldogs on social media at /SamfordBaseball (Facebook), @SamfordBaseball (Instagram) and @SamfordBaseball (Twitter). 
 
 
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