Up Next: Mercer

The Cats return to Cullowhee for the next two home series, facing Mercer then Wofford, both teams are in the Red Division with the Catamounts. Mercer is currently in second place in the division with a 12-6 conference record behind division leader Wofford, at 14-7. 

When: Friday & Saturday, May 7 & 8, 2021, DH on Friday

Time:  Friday & Saturday first pitch at 3 pm 

Where: Hennon Stadium, Cullowhee, NC

Radio: none

TV/video:  ESPN+
Live Stats:  WCU Live stats
Mercer Fan Message Board: MU Bear Down

Head Coach: Craig Gibson - 17 seasons as Mercer Head Coach, 

Overall Record: 556-385

Walter's Record   723-607 overall

Alma Mater: Georgetown, 1991

Graig Gibson's record vs. the Catamounts:  11-10 

Bobby Moranda's record vs. the Bears:  10-10

 
2021 Mercer Baseball Record: 26 -17 overall, 12-6 SoCon, 17-7 home, 9-10 away, 0-0 neutral
2020 Mercer Baseball Record: 13-3 overall, 0-0SoCon, 10-4 home, 10-2 away, 3-1 neutral

The Series: The Cats are 11-10 overall against the Bears and 10-10 since the Bears joined the Southern Conference.  The two teams have not met since April 2019 when the Cats won the series played in Macon 2-1. The Cats are 6-3 in games played in Macon.

Since joining the SoCon in 2015, Mercer has won three regular-season titles and two tournament titles.  The 2019 season was the fourth trip to the SoCon Championship title game in five years as a league member. Mercer finished as runner-up to Western Carolina (‘16) and Samford (‘18)

Mercer was picked to finish second in both the 2021 Preseason SoCon media polls. The Bears were picked behind Samford in both the coaches & media poll. Four Bears were recognized on the preseason All-SoCon teams: SS RJ Yeager (2nd), 1B Angelo DiSpigna (2nd), OF Brandon Michie (2nd), and OF Colby Thomas (2nd)

Following the 2020 season, the Bears’ Colby Thomas was named to the 2020 Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-American Team.  The Bears lead the Southern Conference with 30 doubles this season, which ranks 28th in the NCAA. Mercer is averaging 2.1 doubles per game, the 39th best mark. Ten different Bears have hit a double, and the team is led by Angelo DiSpigna, with seven.

Current Red Division Standings:

RED 

Wofford   14-7 SoCon, 26-16 

Mercer     12-6 SoCon, 26-17 

WCU       10-6 SoCon, 22-14 

Citadel      3-17 SoCon, 11-28

Projected Pitching Match-Up: 

Gm 1: WCU – RHP Zach Franklin (5-3, 2.83) vs. MER – RHP Garrett Delano (4-1, 3.63) 

Gm 2: WCU – RHP Tristen Campbell (2-1, 6.11) vs. MER – RHP Josh Farmer (4-0, 4.72) 

Gm 3: WCU – RHP Jacob Corn (1-0, 5.29) vs. MER – TBA