MACON, Ga. (Interstat) — Mark Katz launched a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning Friday, lifting the Mercer Bears to a 4-3 victory over the Troy Trojans in a season-opening baseball thriller at Claude Smith Field.

The solo shot to right field off Troy reliever Zach Crotchfelt capped a back-and-forth contest where Mercer twice erased deficits. The Bears, who trailed 3-0 before their first at-bat and 3-2 entering the sixth, improved to 1-0. Troy fell to 0-1 despite being favored by national probability metrics.

Troy struck immediately. Leadoff hitter Piasecki singled, stole second and, after two outs and a walk, came home when the Mercer shortstop could not handle a pop-up in the middle of the infield. Two more unearned runs crossed on the error, staking the Trojans to a 3-0 lead before Mercer starter Garrett Lambert recorded a third out.

The Bears answered in their half of the first against Troy starter Tommy Egan. Leadoff walks to Shepherd and Katz, the latter aided by a Troy throwing error that put runners at second and third, set the table. A groundout by Kersey and a sacrifice fly from Kamaka plated two runs, cutting the deficit to 3-2.

The score held until the top of the sixth when Troy extended its lead. Meier walked and scored on a double by Darnell. Darnell then came home on a single by Nelson, making it 3-2.

Mercer responded in the bottom half of the frame against Troy reliever Dean. After a leadoff groundout, Kersey walked and scored on a double down the left-field line by Kamaka, knotting the game at 3-3. The Bears threatened for more, loading the bases after a hit-by-pitch to pinch-hitter Kaleb Huffman, but a strikeout ended the inning.

Both bullpens held firm through tense late innings. Mercer’s Jess Ackerman and Ewaldsen combined for four scoreless frames of relief after Lambert’s departure. Troy’s Dean and Ellingworth navigated traffic, stranding two Bears in the seventh.

In the ninth, Troy put pressure on Ewaldsen. Markham singled and Piasecki and Janicki worked walks to load the bases with two outs, but a strikeout left them stranded.

Crotchfelt entered for Troy in the bottom of the ninth. After a strikeout, Katz stepped in and ended the game with one swing, driving a pitch over the right-field wall to set off a celebration for the home team.

Mercer outhit Troy 7-5. Key performances included Katz, who finished a triple shy of the cycle with three hits, including the decisive homer. Kamaka drove in two runs, including the tying RBI double. For Troy, Darnell had two hits and an RBI.

The two teams are scheduled for a doubleheader Saturday to continue the series.