CARROLLTON, Ga. (Interstat) — Logan Shepherd drove in three runs and the Mercer Bears used a relentless offensive attack to outlast the West Georgia Wolves 13-9 in a non-conference baseball game Tuesday night at Grisham Stadium.

The Bears, improving to 21-4, pounded out 16 hits and capitalized on aggressive baserunning and timely hitting to secure the victory. The Wolves fell to 6-19 despite a 12-hit effort of their own, highlighted by a three-run homer from Gabe Young.

Mercer set the tone immediately. After Brant Baughcum’s two-run homer in the first inning gave the Bears an early lead, the offense exploded for a decisive five-run third inning. The frame featured a daring double steal, with Baughcum stealing home, followed by a two-run homer from Eli Stephens. Mercer added another run on a sacrifice bunt and an RBI double from Shepherd, stretching the lead to 8-1.

West Georgia responded in the bottom of the second when Young launched his three-run shot to center field, cutting the deficit to 8-4. The Wolves continued to chip away, scoring single runs in the fifth and sixth innings, the latter on a solo homer by Patrick McCullough, to pull within 8-6.

The most important part of the game came in the top of the eighth inning, as Mercer broke the game open to quash West Georgia’s rally. With the lead at just two runs, the Bears sent nine men to the plate and scored four times. Pinch-runner Nathan Rowland scored on an RBI double by Dylan LaPointe. After a sacrifice fly from Michael Graziano, Logan Shepherd delivered his second RBI double of the night. Chris Katz followed with another sacrifice fly, pushing the Mercer advantage to 12-6 and providing crucial breathing room.

Shepherd, Mercer’s top star, finished 3 for 5 with two doubles and three RBIs, continuing a strong stretch at the plate. LaPointe also had three hits, including a solo homer in the fifth and an RBI double in the eighth, driving in two. Stephens added three hits, including his two-run homer.

For West Georgia, Young was a standout, going 3 for 4 with the homer, a double, and four RBIs. David Bell also had three hits, including two doubles, and drove in three runs, two of which came on a ninth-inning double during a late Wolves rally that ultimately fell short.

Mercer’s bullpen combination of Kai Decker, Lawson Cole, Andrew Garnett and Braydon Kersey was instrumental in preserving the lead. Over five combined innings of relief, the quartet allowed just two earned runs on four hits while striking out seven. Garnett entered with a runner on in the sixth and recorded two key outs, and Kersey struck out two in a perfect eighth inning.

The Bears utilized their speed effectively, stealing five bases and taking extra bases on wild pitches and passed balls. They also executed two sacrifice flies.

Mercer next travels to face Oregon State for a three-game series beginning Friday. West Georgia heads to Queens (NC) for a three-game set starting the same day. The two teams are scheduled to meet again in Macon on April 7.