Box Score Emory University sophomore Brandon Hannon drew a bases-loaded walk with one out in the bottom of the tenth inning, scoring sophomore Ryan Toscano from third base and lifting the Eagles to a 4-3 extra-inning victory over LaGrange College at Coolray Field on Friday.
With the win, Emory improved to 3-0 on the season, while LaGrange dropped to 0-3.
Toscano started the rally in the tenth inning for the Eagles, leading off the frame with a single, and advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt by junior second baseman Mark Lindemann. Freshman Wes Peacock followed with a bloop single to right-centerfield, but Toscano was forced to wait at second to see if the ball would drop in, only advancing to third on the play. With runners on the corners, LaGrange opted to walk freshman Brett Lake intentionally, loading the bases with one out for Hannon, the 2011 all-region selection.
LaGrange opted to change pitchers, replacing right-handed pitcher Josh Bricker with southpaw Derek O'Kelly, to face the lefty Hannon. However, making his collegiate debut, O'Kelly threw three-straight balls to start the at bat before battling back with a called and swinging strike. However, his 3-2 pitch missed outside, issuing the walk to Hannon and forcing in the game-winning run.
The Eagles needed just two pitchers to get through the extra-inning affair. Senior Paul Schwendel received a no-decision despite pitching seven strong innings, allowing just two earned runs (and three total) on seven hits and two walks, while striking out six batters. Junior Michael Bitanga entered the game in the eighth and pitched three scoreless innings, striking out three and walking one to earn the win. Bitanga allowed just one hit in the game, a double that landed in between Hannon and Peacock after a miscommunication in the outfield in the ninth inning.
Emory never trailed in the game, taking a 2-0 lead in the second inning on a wild pitch by LaGrange starter Mason Webster and an RBI single from Peacock. After LaGrange scored runs in the third and fourth to tie the game, the Eagles answered again, taking a 3-2 lead in the fourth after Hannon drew an 11-pitch walk, stole second, advanced to third on a ground out, and scored on a sacrifice fly from senior Kevin O'Connor.
However, from the second inning until the start of the beginning of the tenth, the Eagles would fail to pick up a hit against the Panthers' staff, despite drawing nine walks and a hit by pitch in between base hits. LaGrange would eventually tie the game with an unearned run off Schwendel in the seventh, and the score would remain knotted at three until the 10th.
Bitanga improved to 1-0 on the season with the victory, while the loss was credited to Bricker, who dropped to 0-1.
The Eagles will be back in action on Saturday morning at 10:00 AM against Piedmont College, as part of the Southern Classic at Coolray Field, home of the Triple-A Gwinnett Braves.
