UPDATE: Live Stats Not Available for Sunday Game Two

MACON, Ga. - The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (2-3) open up their second series of the 2013 season, traveling to face the Mercer Bears (3-1) in an unusual non-conference two-day affair, setting a Sunday double header due to weather. The Bears opened the season with wins at the Snowbird Baseball Classic over Ohio State, St. John's (N.Y.) and Notre Dame before falling to Alabama State.

With an additional rescheduling, the 'Cats will play a single game on Saturday at 5 p.m. A full-game doubleheader is set with the first pitch at 12 p.m. on Sunday to conclude the series.

Pitching Matchups


Saturday:

B-CU - LHP Ali Simpson (2013: 0-1, 27.00 ERA) (2012: 2-1, 4.30 ERA)

MU - RHP Brandon Barker (2013: 1-0, 0.00 ERA) (2012: 5-5, 3.47 ERA)

Game One Update: The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (2-4) led for five innings against the Mercer Bears (4-1) in a twice rescheduled series opener, falling victim to a sixth-inning rally, en route to a 9-4 loss Saturday at Claude Smith Field...complete recap | statistics

Sunday Game One:

B-CU - RHP Scott Garner (2013: 1-0, 7.11 ERA) (2012: 4-4, 6.00 ERA)

MU - LHP Grant Papelian (2013: Has Not Pitched) (2012: 1-1, 2.66 ERA)

Game Two Update: Mercer gained momentum early and used 19 hits, including five multi-run homers to gain a decisive 19-3 advantage by the close of the fourth inning, leading to a 19-4 loss for B-CU to open the day...recap | statistics

Sunday Game Two:

B-CU - LHP Anthony Stokes (2013: 0-0, 0.00 ERA) (2012: 1-0, 6.00 ERA)

ASU - RHP DJ Johnson (2013: 0-0, 3.00 ERA) (2012: 0-1, 3.14 ERA)

Game Three Update: The Wildcats found themselves in a pitcher's duel, with the score remaining static through five innings, aside from a single MU homer in the second. Walks granted loaded bases and a triple set off a four run inning to go up 5-0. B-CU never was able to make their mark offensively, despite matching Mercer in hitting...recap | statistics

Notes on the Mercer Bears

After splitting games to open the season in 2012, the Bears are off to a fast start in 2013, facing the Wildcats in their home opener. The Bears are led at the plate by third baseman Chesney Young, batting .389 with extra-base power and speed, logging one double and two triples in four games, while also topping the team with five RBI.

Middle infielder Michael Massi isn't far behind, batting .364 with a team-best .563 on-base percentage. He's also a proven success on the basepath, stealing a perfect 3-of-3 in his first season in Macon. In joining the pair over the .300 mark, fellow middle infielder Evan Boyd is hitting .313, after hitting .335 last season with 38 RBI. Both Boyd and Massi have a home run to their credit, while left fielder Nate Morehouse leads the team with two.

The Bears have allowed at least four runs in all four games this season, with two of their wins contested to a one-run margin. They have allowed 13 extra-base hits (12 doubles, 1 triple).

About the Wildcats

Bethune-Cookman has proven tough defensively this season, facing close games the whole way, including a pair of extra-inning games in the first week out.

At the plate, MEAC Rookie of the Week, catcher Chris Biocic still is among the leaders on the team, batting .333 with three RBI. After a strong performance in his first start, Josh Johnson overtook the freshman in average, batting .375.

Eric Sams had a solid week after tough outings at No. 16 Arizona State, batting 5-of-8 in the two midweek games, leading to a .278 season average. Matt Noble bats .222 with all of his hits logged as doubles on the year, while Eros Modena leads the team with four RBI.

During the Game

Live Stats: Mercer will provide live statistics throughout the three-game series this weekend.

Live Statistics Links

Saturday (G1)| Sunday (G1) | (Live Stats Not Available Sunday G2)

Game Day Hashtags

For all of our followers on Twitter, the official game day hashtags include the following...

#HailWildcats

#BeatMercer

For all the latest information on the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, follow the official Twitter feed, @BCUathletics, @cookmanbaseball, or "Like Us" on Facebook at Bethune-Cookman Athletics.

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