Preview: Alcorn State Braves at Mercer Bears

MACON, Ga. (Interstat) — A matchup of teams heading in opposite directions opens a three-game series Friday when the Mercer Bears host the Alcorn State Braves at Claude Smith Field.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. EDT under cloudy skies with a game-time temperature of 81 degrees.

Mercer (11-2) enters riding high, having won 10 of its last 11 games. The Bears’ potent offense is averaging over eight runs per game during that stretch. Their only recent blemish was a 22-5 road loss to Florida State on Wednesday, though outfielder Eli Stephens provided a bright spot, going 2-for-2 with a home run and two RBIs.

Stephens, batting .300 with a team-high eight RBIs, will be a key figure as Mercer looks to rebound.

Conversely, Alcorn State (1-10) seeks to halt a six-game skid. The Braves have been outscored 82-17 during the losing streak and are coming off a 15-7 home loss to Mississippi Valley State on Sunday.

A player to watch for the Braves is reliever Hunter Bell. Despite the team’s struggles, Bell has shown recent effectiveness, allowing just one hit over his last three appearances spanning six innings, with six strikeouts. He pitched 2 1/3 innings of one-run ball in Sunday’s loss.

The Braves will need a strong pitching performance to slow a Mercer lineup that has scored five or more runs in nine of its 11 wins. Alcorn State’s offense has been held to two runs or fewer in seven of its ten losses.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, Mercer is projected to win Friday’s contest 7-1.

The series continues Saturday and Sunday at Claude Smith Field.