Feb. 2, 2007

CORAL GABLES, Fla. - The Mercer Bears scored two runs in the ninth inning to grab a 6-5 decision over the Miami Hurricanes on Friday night. Preseason A-Sun Player of the Year Josh Thompson led the way going 4-for-4 with three RBIs, two runs scored, one double and a home run.

The `Canes wasted no time getting on the board, plating a pair of runs in the bottom of the first inning. Mercer right-handed pitcher Brantley New retired the leadoff batter before Roger Tomas and Yonder Alonso followed with back-to-back singles.

With runners at first and third, New struck out right fielder Dennis Raben, but Alonso broke from first and on catcher Josh Thompson's throw to second, Tomas swiped home. Designated hitter Mark Sobolewski then roped an RBI single giving Miami an early 2-0 advantage.

Miami struck again when Alonso added his second hit of the game, a leadoff home run to straight-away center in the third inning.

The Bears played small ball to score their first run of the season in the fourth. Thompson led off with a double to right-center field and advanced to third on a groundout by Eric Renfroe. Mike Armstrong plated Thompson with an infield single, pulling Mercer within two at 3-1.

The `Canes extended their lead to 5-1 in the fifth as catcher Richard O'Brien laced a two-run single to right, scoring Raben and Gus Menendez.

Mercer cut the deficit to three in the sixth when Thompson belted his first home run of the season over the left field fence.

Tyler Brown's RBI infield single tacked on another run for the Bears in the seventh and Thompson followed with his third hit of the game, an RBI single to left, pulling Mercer within one at 5-4.

Matt Crawford led off the ninth with a bunt single and Tyler McCarty hit an opposite- field single giving the Bears life in the final frame. Brown advanced Crawford to third with a fielder's choice and Thompson delivered his fourth hit of the night, an RBI single evening up the score, 5-5.

Following a Renfroe stolen base, Mike Armstrong came through with a single scoring pinch runner Richard Bentley, giving Mercer its first lead of the game, 6-5.

Each starter went five innings as the Hurricanes Manny Miguelez allowed one earned run and five hits and New gave up five earned runs on seven hits. New was charged with the loss.

The teams will be back in action Saturday, Feb. 3 at 7 p.m. for game two of the three-game series.