The Emory University baseball team opened the Rhodes College
Classic with a loss on Friday, dropping a 6-3 decision to host
institution Rhodes College.
The loss was just the second of the season for the Eagles, who fell
to 7-2 on the campaign. Both of Emory's losses this
season have been on the road. Rhodes improved to 3-5 on the
season with its second-straight win.
Emory jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the game, after
senior centerfielder Gabe Shivers opened the
contest by reaching on an error, then advanced to second base on a
ground out and stole third base. With one out in the inning,
Shivers scored on a fly ball hit by Kevin
O'Connor that was dropped by the Rhodes
centerfielder.
The Lynx would strike back in the bottom of the first, scoring two
runs off starter Paul Schwendel, who limited the
damage in the inning with three strikeouts, despite walking four
and allowing a base hit.
After each side was retired in order in the second, the Eagles tied
the game in the third. Freshman Brandon
Hannon drew a leadoff walk, advancing to third base on an
error by the Rhodes catcher. He would score the game-tying
run on an RBI groundout from senior first baseman Ryan
Jones, his team-leading 10th run batted in of
the campaign.
Once again, however, Rhodes would answer back in the bottom of the
inning, scoring three in the third to grab a 5-2 lead over
Emory.
The Eagles pulled back within two on a two-out single by junior
designated hitter Jay Page in the sixth, scoring
Jones from third base. The Eagles would put the tying run on
base after a single from catcher Jared Welch, but
the inning would end before Emory could score again.
Still trailing 5-3, Emory attempted a comeback in the top of the
eighth, after O'Connor lead the inning off with a single,
followed by a base hit and a stolen base for senior third baseman
Andrew Cohn, to put the tying runs at second and
third with no outs. After a strike out and a ground out to
the pitcher, senior leftfielder Patrick Riebsame
walked to load the bases with two outs. However, junior
shortstop Jonathan Reilly lined out to short to
end the Eagles' threat.
Schwendel took the loss for Emory, falling to 1-1, after allowing
five runs, three earned, through five innings, while striking out
six, walking six, and surrendering four hits. Freshmen
Ryan Toscano and Matt McMahon
combined to allow one run in three innings of relief.
Rhodes starter Jackson Baker earned the win for the Lynx, improving
to 1-1 on the season. Taylor Babich pitched the ninth to earn
his first save of the campaign.
The Eagles will return to action tomorrow, facing
Maryville College at the Rhodes College Classic. Following
bad weather in the Millington, TN area on Thursday night, the game
time has been moved to 11:30 AM EST, and will now be played at the
Rhodes College field.
