Mercurio collects 7 RBI

By MOC Sports Information
Published in Sports on February 6, 2012 1:48 PM

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MOC Sports Information

MOUNT OLIVE -- Mount Olive College junior Mike Mercurio slugged a grand slam and collected seven RBI, while Zach Smith held Lenoir-Rhyne to just one hit over six innings in a 16-1 victory on a drizzly Sunday afternoon at Scarborough Field.

The Trojans climbed to 3-0.

Mercurio, a transfer from High Point University, opened the game with a single and scored the Trojans' first run off L-RC starter Ryan Jones (1-1), who allowed seven batters to reach base in the first inning.

Geno Escalante, Jacob Rogers, Antonio Callaway and Jermaine Berry each delivered an RBI single to ignite the MOC offense.

That was more than enough for Smith. He retired the first 10 batters he faced before an error gave Lenoir-Rhyne life. An inning later, Colton Hansley benefited from a strong breeze blowing out to right field for a lead-off home run. It was the only hit Smith allowed.

The Trojans added two runs in the second inning when Daniel Oliver led off with a single and raced to third on a double by Will Bynum. Mercurio brought home both runners with a single to center.

Mount Olive chased Jones in the third when Callaway and Berry walked. Oliver followed with a single to drive in one run, then Bynum and Mercurio pulled off a double steal. When Rogers' fly ball was dropped in left field, the lead grew to 11-0.

Mercurio completed his seven-RBI performance with a blast down the right field line in the sixth.