GREENVILLE — Five runs in the first inning helped Mercer complete a sweep at East Carolina with an 8-2 win Sunday.
A run-scoring bunt by Charlie Madden, a two-run triple by Danny Edgeworth and a two-run homer by Hunter Bening gave the Bears (17-4), a 5-0 lead.
Senior left-hander Jacob Wolfe (2-1) lasted one inning and was charged with the loss.
Sophomore right-hander Chris Holba worked the next four frames. Holba struck out nine while allowing five hits and one walk. The Bears picked up an unearned run in the second.
J.T. Thomas hit his third homer of the series to cap Mercer’s scoring in the ninth.
The Pirates (13-7) avoided a shutout on a double by Charlie Yorgen that scored Bryce Harman in the bottom of the ninth. Harman had singled with one away and pinch hitter Brady Lloyd followed with a single. Lloyd scored in the ninth on a ground out to second by Turner Brown.
Chase Burks (1-0) started and went seven innings to get the win for the visitors. He allowed six hits and walked two while striking out seven. Josh Knies pitched the last two innings for the Bears.
Mercer held a 13-10 edge in hits. Yorgen, Spencer Brickhouse and Harman each had two hits for ECU.
The Pirates left 11 runners on base and Mercer stranded seven. The Bears committed three errors compared to one for ECU.
The Pirates are at Elon (9-11) for a 6 p.m. start on Tuesday and host North Carolina (15-5) on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.
Holba needs to be a weekend starter for the remainder of the season. Wolfe to a mid week starter.