Alabama uses 4-run second to eliminate Mercer 5-3

ATLANTA (AP) — Jake Smith homered and Cody Trotter hit a two-run single to help Alabama beat Mercer 5-3 Sunday and advance to the final of the Atlanta Regional.

The Crimson Tide (39-23) will play Georgia Tech later Sunday. If Alabama wins, the teams face each other on Monday with spot in the super regionals on the line.

Mercer (38-24) was making its first NCAA tournament appearance.

Tucker Hawley (2-1) relieved starter Jason Townsend with one out in the third and pitched the next 4 2-3 innings, allowing four hits, one run and no walks with four strikeouts.

Mercer starter Justice French (3-4) gave up six hits and no walks and one strikeout in 3 1-3 innings.

Thomas Carroll drove in two of Mercer's runs with RBI singles in the first and third.