MACON, GA.- The Bulldogs had an opportunity in the ninth inning with two runners on but were defeated 3-2 by the Mercer Bears on Thursday afternoon.
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Score: Mercer 3, The Citadel 2
Records: The Citadel (19-31, 1-18 SoCon), Mercer (26-25, 6-12 SoCon)
Location: OrthoGeorgia Park (Macon, Georgia)
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How it Happened
- Mercer scored two in the bottom of the first with a two-run home run from Parker Lester.
- Aryan Patel delivered for the Bulldogs with a two-out RBI single, scoring Sawyer Reeves to make it a 2-1 game in the seventh.
- Max Kops extended the Bears lead to 3-1 with a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh.
- Matthew Lively hit a solo home run in the top of the eighth to narrow the game to just one run at 3-2.
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Inside the Box Score
- The Citadel scored two runs on four hits.
- Matthew Lively hit his first home run during the season, the second of his career.
- Aryan Patel went 1-for-2 at the plate with an RBI and two walks.
- Landon Slemp (3-6) picked up the loss for the Bulldogs with three hits and two earned runs.
- Colton Cosper (5-3) recorded the win for the Bears after throwing 8.0 innings on two earned runs and four hits.
- Bryce Hawkins (S,2) collected the save after throwing the ninth inning, stranding two.
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On Deck
The Citadel and Mercer will play game two on Saturday, with the first pitch at 6 p.m.Â
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