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MACON, Georgia - The first Saturday of the season was not very kind to the Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks, who were shutout by a very powerful Mercer Bears squad, 15-0. The loss drops The Shore to 0-2 on the young season.

Six Mercer pitchers combined to hold the Hawks to six hits, but senior Justin Somerville (New Windsor, Maryland) managed two hits, including a double, off the Georgian foes. Fellow senior Jordan Wesley (Mitchellville, Maryland) also collected a double-his second in two games. The Hawks got another positive spark from sophomore Zach Mills (Parksley, Virginia), who struck out five of the seven batters he faced over two innings in his first outing on the mound in nearly a year.

"Although the score doesn't show it, we had some positives today." Head Coach Charlie Goens said. "Mercer is a really good team."

The Bears proved they were a really good team from the first inning, giving freshman Steven Cook (Westminster, Maryland) a rude welcome in his intercollegiate debut. Mercer got the first three on base, and the cleanup hitter JT Thomas promptly smacked a grand slam to left field. Before the Hawks could record an out the Bears led 4-0.

After that Mercer never let up, scoring 11 more runs, including seven in the fifth inning.

Cook grinded out 4 1/3 innings, but was tagged with seven earned runs and the loss. Junior Evan Bertone (Douglas, Massachusetts) and Bryan Liriano (Rockville, Maryland) made their debuts in relief for the Hawks.

Maryland Eastern Shore will try to salvage the finale Sunday afternoon. A 1 p.m. first pitch is scheduled.