The Emory University baseball team improved to 3-0 at the 2012 University Athletic Association (UAA) Championships with a 9-4 win over Case Western Reserve University in the early game, and a 10-4 over the University of Rochester in the late affair on Monday.

With the wins, Emory stands at 10-6 on the season, and is sole possession of first place in the conference with three wins through the first two days of play.

The Eagles earned a hard-fought victory over Case in the early game, behind a strong start from senior Paul Schwendel on the mound, and senior first baseman Jay Page's continued hot hitting.

Emory jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning on an RBI groundout from senior shortstop Kevin O'Connor and an RBI single with two outs from Page.  The Eagles extended their lead to 5-0 in the third on RBI singles from Page and junior designated hitter Daniel Iturrey, and an RBI double from sophomore third baseman Ryan Toscano.

Case got back into the game with four unanswered runs, including a two-run home run from Paul Pakan that made it a 5-4 contest in the fifth inning.

The score would remain 5-4 until the ninth, as Schwendel allowed just the four runs on five hits through six innings, striking out eight batters.  Junior Mike Bitanga entered the game in the seventh, and holding onto the lead for the Eagles with a strong relief effort.

The Eagles cemented the first game of the day with a four-run top of the ninth inning, scoring three runs on Page's on a bases-loaded double from Page, who finished the game three-for-five with five RBI.
 
Schwendel earned the win, improving to 2-2 on the season, while junior Mike Bitanga earned his fourth save by pitching the final three innings, allowing just a hit and a walk.  He moved into sole possession of second place in school history with 12 career saves.

Spartans' starter Jarrett Gish took the loss for Case, which fell to 7-3 on the year and to 1-1 in UAA play.

Emory received its third-straight strong start at the UAA Championships in the late game, as sophomore Ben Hinojosa allowed just two runs on six hits and three walks, striking out four batters through seven innings to earn his first victory of the season.

The Eagles scored single runs in each of the first and second innings, on an RBI single from Page and a sacrifice fly from freshman second baseman Ben Hambleton, to take a 2-0 lead.  Rochester scored a run in the top of the fourth inning, but the Eagles responded with a pair in the bottom of the fifth on an RBI single from sophomore centerfielder Brandon Hannon and an RBI double from Page.

After Rochester cut the Emory lead to two with a run in the seventh off Hinojosa, Emory blew the game open in the seventh with a six-run frame, highlighted by RBI singles from junior Jared Welch and Toscano.  The Eagles picked up three hits, four walks, and were hit by a pitch during the innings.

Rochester scored single runs in the eighth and ninth off the Emory bullpen, but the Eagles held on for the victory, as the Yellowjackets fell to 0-3 on the season, with all three contests coming during UAA play.  Starter Michael Zarella took the loss for Rochester, falling to 0-1 on the year.

Page finished the second game three-for-five for the Eagles, and hit six –for-10 during the day with seven RBIs and two doubles. He has now driven in nine runs during the three UAA games. 

The Eagles will look to continue their strong play at the UAA Championships in Sanford, Florida tomorrow, as the team will take on Brandeis University at 6:00 PM.