Categories: College University Athletics

Mercer Baseball Triumphs with Thrilling Walk-Off Victory

Mercer Bears baseball team celebrating a win

News Summary

The Mercer Bears baseball team celebrated a thrilling 9-7 walk-off win against the Georgia State Panthers on March 25, 2025. Freshman Ty Dalley’s dramatic three-run home run sealed the game, raising the Bears’ record to 19-10 overall and 3-3 in the Southern Conference. Despite a tense ninth inning where Georgia State surged ahead, the Bears rallied back for a victorious finish. This win follows their series victory against Western Carolina University, boosting morale as they prepare for their next challenge against Georgia Tech.

Mercer Baseball Hits the High Note with Thrilling Walk-Off Win

In the charming city of Macon, Georgia, the Mercer Bears baseball team showcased their grit and determination on March 25, 2025, by emerging victorious over the Georgia State Panthers with a nail-biting score of 9-7. This exciting win not only improved Mercer’s overall record to 19-10 but also brought their Southern Conference (SoCon) record to an even 3-3. Talk about a perfect way to rebound!

Dalley Steals the Show

The real star of the day was freshman sensation Ty Dalley, who absolutely lit up the field. He made history by hitting a dramatic walk-off three-run home run, marking his second homer of the game and his ninth of the season. With the bases loaded and the crowd on edge, Dalley stepped up to the plate and sent a towering shot over the fence, sealing the game in spectacular fashion. You couldn’t have scripted it better!

A Bumpy Beginning for Georgia State

The day didn’t start off too rosy for Georgia State, who struggled to make any impact in the first inning against Mercer’s ace pitcher Craig Kalkbrenner. Through those first eight innings, the Bears’ pitching trio, including Lawson Cole and Bryce Hawkins, combined to hold GSU to just three hits, dominating the game and racking up seven strikeouts.

Mercer Takes Control

Going into the bottom of the seventh, the Bears were comfortably ahead, thanks to an earlier three-run blast from Dalley that brought teammates Drew Johnson and Titan Kamaka home. Kamaka himself added to the tally with a neat single, putting Mercer at a solid 3-0 lead. But baseball can be a fickle game, and things took an unexpected turn in the ninth inning.

A Ninth-Inning Rollercoaster

As the air thickened with tension, closer Terry Busse—who joined the game with a remarkable 0.57 ERA—found himself in a tight pinch. What started as an attempt to close the game turned into an unexpected horror story as he faced seven batters, allowing six runs on 25 pitches. Suddenly, what appeared to be a sure win was at great risk, as it looked like Mercer might suffer a devastating loss at home.

The Come-From-Behind Drama

With the score flipping in GSU’s favor, Mercer found itself on the ropes. But resiliently, in the bottom of the ninth, the Bears ignited hope with singles from Zach Thompson and Johnson. A couple of tense strikeouts left the crowd breathless with anticipation. All eyes were glued to Dalley, who stepped up to the plate at a critical moment with two outs. The stage was set for a grand finale, and boy, did he deliver!

Celebrating a Sweet Victory

Dalley smashed that ball right out of the park, and the stadium erupted in cheers as the Bears clinched the game. This thrilling victory against Georgia State capped off an encouraging stretch for Mercer, who also won a three-game series against Western Carolina University, marking their first series win against the Catamounts since 2021. They are definitely on the upswing!

Looking Ahead

With the taste of victory still fresh in their mouths, the Bears are gearing up for their next challenge against no. 25 Georgia Tech on March 26 at 8 p.m. in Atlanta. The thrill of the game only grows stronger, and with players like Dalley turning in extraordinary performances, baseball fans in Macon have a lot to be excited about. Go Bears!