MACON, Ga. (Interstat) — The Mercer Bears, powered by a resilient offensive performance and a dominant relief effort, overcame an early five-run deficit to defeat the Alcorn State Braves 10-5 in a nonconference baseball game Saturday at Claude Smith Field.

The victory improved Mercer’s record to 13-2, while Alcorn State fell to 1-12.

The game’s pivotal sequence occurred in the bottom of the sixth inning, erasing Alcorn State’s momentum after a frantic top half of the frame. The Braves had entered the inning trailing 6-5 but erupted for five runs to reclaim a 10-5 lead, capitalizing on two hit batters, two walks, a wild pitch and a two-run single by Garcia. Mercer reliever Jeb Johnson entered with the bases loaded and recorded the final out to stop the bleeding.

The Bears immediately responded in their half of the sixth against Alcorn State reliever Kriley, who had just replaced starter Kayden Sutton. Chris Katz, who finished 4-for-5, led off with a single and later scored on an error to tie the game at 10-5. After a walk reloaded the bases, a balk by Kriley forced in the go-ahead run. The inning showcased the Braves’ defensive struggles, as two of the three runs were unearned.

Mercer added insurance in the eighth on a two-run single by Michael Graziano, sealing the win.

The game began in stunning fashion, as Alcorn State batted around in the top of the first inning, plating five runs on five hits against Mercer starter Miguel Hugas. The Braves sent 10 men to the plate, but Hugas escaped further damage and then settled in brilliantly. The right-hander delivered five scoreless innings thereafter, allowing just five total hits with no earned runs and four strikeouts. His performance stabilized the game after his disastrous previous outing, a five-run, no-out appearance against Florida State.

Mercer began its comeback immediately in the bottom of the first against Alcorn State starter Sutton, who did not allow a hit but was undone by control issues and defensive miscues. Sutton walked two, and a two-run single by Stephens coupled with a fielding error brought in three unearned runs, cutting the deficit to 5-3.

The Bears tied it in the fifth on a solo home run by Braydon Kersey, who also pitched a scoreless ninth inning. They took their first lead later in the fifth on an RBI single by Dastou.

Following Johnson’s crucial one and two-thirds innings of hitless relief with three strikeouts, Collin Ewaldsen and Kersey closed out the win with a scoreless inning each.

Keaten Hawk went 2-for-4 with an RBI for Alcorn State, which out-hit Mercer 13-8 but committed four errors leading to five unearned runs.

The teams conclude their three-game series Sunday afternoon.