Jeff Mercer drove in three runs, Alex Kaminsky allowed only one run in 6.1 innings and Michael Schum nailed down his 13th save of the year as the Wright State baseball team captured a 4-2 victory in the series opener against Cleveland State on Friday evening at Nischwitz Stadium.

The Raiders honored their student-athletes before the game and the crowd of over 500 enjoyed watching Wright State starting pitcher Alex Kaminsky work in and out of trouble to hold the Vikings scoreless through the first three innings. In the bottom of the third, WSU broke through with the bases loaded and two outs.

Mercer stepped in and hit a line drive to left-center field that CSU center fielder Brad Buell made a diving attempt at, but missed making the play. All three runners would score on the two bagger and Mercer would tie the single-season mark of 26 set by Gerald Ogrinc, Aaron Fields and R.J. Gundolff all scored to give the Raiders a 3-0 lead.

Kaminsky would hold the CSU offense at bay through the sixth, but a single with one out from Jon Foco was followed by an RBI double off the bat of pinch hitter Josh Lowe to give the Vikings their first run of the contest. Michael Schum entered the contest after the double and coaxed a ground out and struck out the final batter of the frame to hold WSU's lead at 3-1.

Kory Twede would manufacture the Raiders fourth run on his own in the bottom of the seventh, doubling to start the frame off of Cleveland State starter Anthony Sambula. Twede then stole third base on the lefthander and scored on a throwing error by the Vikings catcher, pushing WSU ahead 4-1.

Schum allowed a run in the eighth, cutting the advantage to only 4-2, but collected his 13th save of the year with a scoreless ninth to seal the victory. Kaminsky got the win in the contest and is now 5-2 after tossing 6.1 innings, allowing one run on ten hits with four strikeouts.

The Raiders, now 29-25 overall and 14-10 in Horizon League play, had six players collect hits in the contest. Mercer pushed his season RBI total to 63 with three in the game and Gerald Ogrinc each walked in the contest, but WSU hit into three double plays in the game.

The Raiders will return to the field on Saturday, May 16 with a twinbill against Cleveland State (18-29, 10-13 HL) starting at 1:00. The Green and Gold will honor their seniors following the contest as Jeff Mercer and Kory Twede will play their final home games at Nischwitz Stadium.