No. 1 ETSU, No. 4 Mercer advance to Sunday's Championship Game

ETSU 14, Samford 8
East Tennessee State erupted for 14 runs on 10 hits to overwhelm Samford 14-8 in the opening game of the SoCon Championship tournament. The Buccaneers showcased their offensive firepower with a pair of explosive innings that ultimately decided the contest.

Samford struck first with a three-run opening frame, highlighted by Jackson Harris's RBI single and Matthew Strand's two-run double to right center. However, ETSU answered immediately with a five-run bottom of the first that featured small ball execution and timely hitting. Cody Miller and Cooper Torres both stole bases to set up the rally, while Axel Melendez delivered a crucial two-RBI single through the right side.

The game's decisive moment came in the fourth inning when ETSU sent 11 batters to the plate and scored seven runs to break the game wide open. Tristan Curless launched a three-run homer to right center, and Melendez followed with his own three-run blast to right field, capping a six-hit inning that chased Samford starter Cameron Keshock.

Cooper Torres led ETSU's offensive assault, going 2-for-2 with two runs scored, two RBIs, and two walks, including a solo home run in the seventh. Melendez finished with five RBIs on two hits, while Curless drove in three runs. For Samford, Harris collected three hits and two runs scored, while Cade Carr contributed three hits including a double.

ETSU starter Michael Harpster earned the victory despite allowing five runs over five innings, striking out seven batters. Samford's Keshock took the loss after surrendering 12 runs (10 earned) in just 3.1 innings of work, walking four and hitting a batter.


Mercer 11, The Citadel 10

Mercer utilized a three-run third inning and stellar relief pitching to defeat The Citadel 4-2 in a well-played championship tournament contest. The Bears advance with timely hitting and a dominant performance from their bullpen.

After two scoreless innings, Mercer broke through against Citadel starter Anthony Hausner in the third. Michael Graziano led off with a single to left field, setting the stage for Ty Dalley's towering two-run homer to right field. Bradley Frye followed with an RBI double to left field, plating Brant Baughcum and giving the Bears a 3-0 advantage that would prove crucial.

The Citadel answered in the fourth inning with a two-run rally of their own. Travis Elliott's single up the middle and Hausner's double to left field set up Thomas Rollauer's RBI single to center field. Lane Tobin's sacrifice fly brought home the second run, cutting Mercer's lead to 3-2.

Terry Busse entered in relief of starter Jackson Gaspard and delivered 4.1 innings of shutout baseball, allowing just four hits while striking out four batters to earn the victory. Collin Ewaldsen closed out the ninth inning for his fourth save of the season, working around two singles to preserve the win.

Mercer added an insurance run in the ninth when Frye doubled down the left field line and scored on Titan Kamaka's single up the middle, providing the final 4-2 margin.

Frye paced Mercer's offense with three hits including two doubles, while Dalley's home run was his 19th of the season. For The Citadel, Hausner and Phillips Daniels each collected two hits, with Daniels recording two doubles.


Mercer 4, The Citadel 2

Mercer utilized a three-run third inning and stellar relief pitching to defeat The Citadel 4-2 in a well-played championship tournament contest. The Bears (35-24) advance with timely hitting and a dominant performance from their bullpen.

After two scoreless innings, Mercer broke through against Citadel starter Anthony Hausner in the third. Michael Graziano led off with a single to left field, setting the stage for Ty Dalley's towering two-run homer to right field. Bradley Frye followed with an RBI double to left field, plating Brant Baughcum and giving the Bears a 3-0 advantage that would prove crucial.

The Citadel (31-26) answered in the fourth inning with a two-run rally of their own. Travis Elliott's single up the middle and Hausner's double to left field set up Thomas Rollauer's RBI single to center field. Lane Tobin's sacrifice fly brought home the second run, cutting Mercer's lead to 3-2.

Terry Busse entered in relief of starter Jackson Gaspard and delivered 4.1 innings of shutout baseball, allowing just four hits while striking out four batters to earn the victory. Collin Ewaldsen closed out the ninth inning for his fourth save of the season, working around two singles to preserve the win.

Mercer added an insurance run in the ninth when Frye doubled down the left field line and scored on Titan Kamaka's single up the middle, providing the final 4-2 margin.

Frye paced Mercer's offense with three hits, including two doubles, while Dalley's home run was his 19th of the season. For The Citadel, Hausner and Phillips Daniels each collected two hits, with Daniels recording two doubles.

No. 1 ETSU and No. 4 Mercer Will play in the championship game Sunday, May 24 at noon.