Mershon Starts MSU Career Off Strong
March 08, 2023 | Baseball
STARKVILLE - David Mershon's first at-bat in a Mississippi State uniform ended with a powerful shot that nearly escaped into the outfield for a base hit, but it happened to go straight to a waiting infielder.
Mershon didn't take any hard feelings from the tough play, instead he focused on the positive from his plate approach.
"It's the only game where you can be perfect and still be out, so I was happy with hitting the ball hard," Mershon said.
Mershon's second at-bat? A perfectly-placed bunt single that loaded the bases, ignited the crowd at Dudy Noble Field and fueled a six-run fourth inning for the Diamond Dawgs in their 12-2 run-rule rout of Valparaiso on Tuesday night.
One of the most impressive aspects of Mershon's bunt single was that the true freshman recognized the third baseman playing deep and decided to drop the bunt down on his own.
"I saw that he was back a couple of steps so I went for it and it worked out," Mershon said.
That simple hit might not have been exciting as a towering home run or a bases-clearing double, but to head coach Chris Lemonis, it was one of the most important plays of the night.
"I thought the bunt was huge, I think that was a big piece of the game," Lemonis said.
Mershon's first hit showed that he could stand tall in the big moments, but it also powered him toward an impressive showing in his first career game as a Bulldog. The freshman ended the night going 2-for-3 at the plate, scored a run in the fourth inning and added a single to left field in the fifth.
Mershon also demonstrated an eye for the ball by drawing a walk on a full count in the sixth inning and played flawless defense at both third base and shortstop. He proved that he could do nearly anything that his coaches asked of him.
"He does a lot of really good things for you," Lemonis said. "He'll steal a base. He'll get a bunt down. But he can hit and he can make plays."
Mershon's debut with the team was much anticipated. The newcomer was a standout in the Diamond Dawgs' scrimmages leading up to the start of the season, but he missed the first few weeks of action with an injury.
Even while he was sidelined, Mershon made sure to push his team to victory with his spirit and determination.
"I just wanted to play in the role that I had at the time for the team, so when I was hurt, I was trying to be the best teammate I could be and rehab as quickly as possible," Mershon said.
Lemonis added that his fiery freshman has kept that attitude on the field and at the plate.
"He's just talking and bringing energy the whole time, and he loves baseball," Lemonis said.
With the addition of a healthy Mershon to the lineup, Mississippi State's offense has become even stronger. The Bulldogs boast a dominant group that has strung together 134 hits, 27 doubles and 21 home runs through the first 13 games of the season. Nearly everyone that has been given the chance to hit has made a big play.
The Diamond Dawgs' offense could not be heating up at a better time. SEC play is just around the corner, and Mershon and his fellow freshmen are close to proving to the league why they are such a special class.
