MACON, Ga. – The Towson University baseball team faced Mercer on Friday evening in the first game of a three-game series.
 
Mercer (26-12) scored two in the first, two in the second, four in the third and one in the fourth to go up 9-0 over Towson (15-20). The Tigers added one run in the seventh but failed in the later innings to fall 9-1 in the series opener.
Key Stats:­­

• Towson starter Dutch DePrsopero (2-5) took the loss, allowing eight earned runs on nine hits and one walk in 3.0 innings pitched. DeProspero struck out two batters.
• Mercer starter Garrett Lambert (3-0) earned the win after tossing 6.0 shutout frames. Lambert gave up two hits and struck out nine.

 
How it Happened:

• Eli Stephens hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the first to put Mercer ahead.
• A leadoff homer and RBI double the bottom of the second to extend the Bear's lead.
• They added four runs on four hits and two errors in the bottom of the third, extending their lead to eight.
• Chris Katz hit a solo homer in the fourth for Mercer's ninth run of the night.
• Colin Cusick walked with the bases loaded in the top of the seventh to plate the Tigers' first run of the game.
• Towson was held scoreless over the final two frames to fall 9-1 in the series opener.

 
On Deck:
The Tigers and Bears continue their series with game two tomorrow at 2 p.m.