Georgia Tech Baseball: Jackets bounce back with 8-5 win over Mercer

Sep 10, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; A Toronto Blue Jays glove and ball sit on the field during batting practice before a game against the Boston Red Sox at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; A Toronto Blue Jays glove and ball sit on the field during batting practice before a game against the Boston Red Sox at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

The Yellow Jackets have had a lot of ups and downs so far this baseball season, but bounced back Tuesday after a rough stretch of tough losses.

Georgia Tech (17-18, 4-14 ACC) has had a rough time of it lately. After a loss to arch rival Georgia, sandwiched between conference sweeps at the hands of Notre Dame and Louisville, the Jackets got a much-needed win over in-state Mercer Tuesday night.

After giving up an early 2-0 lead to the Bears, Tech got a run back in the bottom of the first, then got all the rest of they runs they’d need to win with a six-run second inning. Both teams would add more runs, but Mercer couldn’t catch up in an 8-5 win for the Jackets.

Wade Bailey had a bug night for the Jackets, going 3-for-5 with a pair of runs. Trevor CraportKel Johnson and Ryan Peurifoy each had a pair of RBI for Tech in the win. The Yellow Jackets had a dozen hits total.

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The only Yellow Jacket without a hit on the night was Austin Wilhite who walked twice and scored one of Tech’s runs.

All five Mercer runs came at the expense of Georgia Tech starter Jake Lee, who gave up six hits and a pair of walks in four innings, while striking out only one batter. Jared Datoc went 3.1 innings of scoreless relief, picking up his fourth win of the season, while Zac Ryan recorded his third save on the year.

Mercer sent a total of six pitcher to the mound to keep the damage under control, but ultimately Josh Knies went home with the loss, giving up four of Tech’s eight runs.

Coach Hall post game after the Jackets' 8-5 win over the Mercer Bears on Tuesday night.

Posted by Georgia Tech Baseball on Tuesday, April 18, 2017

Next up for the Jackets will be another in-stat foe, taking on the Georgia State Panthers at the nearby GSU Baseball Complex on Wednesday night at 6 p.m. ET.