The Emory University baseball team dropped a heartbreaker on Wednesday afternoon, losing 4-3 in the ninth inning to Maryville College at Chappell Park.

The Eagles put themselves in an early hole, as Maryville scored two runs in the first inning to take the lead.  However, starting Emory pitcher Matthew Katten would settle down to retire the next nine batters in a row.  The senior would finish the day with three runs allowed, two earned, on six hits and three walks, with five strikeouts.

Despite drawing eight walks on the day, Emory would not get its first hit until two outs in the fifth inning, when shortstop Jonathan Reilly hit a double to left centerfield to score catcher Jeremy Bolian, and move right fielder Dan Molnar to third base.  The next batter, left fielder Patrick Riebsame, would get his first hit as an Eagle, a chopper double over the head of the Maryville third baseman, to score two runs and knot the game at three apiece.

The game would remain tied until the ninth inning, in large part due to Marc Terranova, who made his Emory debut on the mound after playing third base most of last season.  Terranova pitched two and a third innings without allowing an earned run on two hits, while striking out three.

However, in the top of the ninth inning, following an Emory error to start the inning allowing Mikee Moore to reach base, Moore stole second and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt.  A wild pitch to the next batter allowed the eventual game-winning run to score.

Despite not allowing an earned run, Terranova took the tough-luck loss for Emory, falling to 0-1. 

Emory dropped to 0-2 on the season with the loss, while Maryville improved to 2-1.  The Eagles will be back in action this weekend, as the team will head to Rocky Mount, NC for the N.C. Wesleyan/ Coldwell Banker 2010 Tournament of Champions on Saturday and Sunday.