Box Score Emory University sophomore Connor Dillman pitched seven shutout innings, and junior Daniel Iturrey picked up three hits to lead the team's attack at the plate, as the Eagles defeated LaGrange College 6-1 on Saturday afternoon to give head coach Mike Twardoski his 400th career victory.
Dillman improved to 2-2 with the victory, scattering four hits and six walks over his seven innings pitched, while striking out three batters. The sophomore righty lowered his ERA to 2.62 for the season with the effort, his second-straight winning outing.
Emory jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, picking up two hits in the frame and cashing in on an error by the LaGrange defense. The Eagles' plated runs on a sacrifice fly from freshman designated hitter Chris Slivka, and a two-out RBI single from junior Jared Kahn.
The Eagles got another two-out run in the third inning, when Kahn was hit by a pitch, stole second base, and then scored on a double by junior Ryan Toscano, giving the team a 3-0 advantage.
The score remained the same until the seventh, when Emory added on three runs, scoring on an RBI single from Iturrey, a balk and a Toscano ground out.
Junior Robert Gross entered the game in relief of Dillman, allowing a run on two hits over the eighth and ninth innings to close out the victory.
Emory improved to 11-9 with the win, the team's third-straight victory. LaGrange dropped to 11-13 on the season with the loss.
For Twardoski, the win moved his career ledger to 400-188-1. He currently stands as the winnigest coach in the program's history, and began the season ranked 27th among Division III coaches all time with a .685 winning percentage. Twardoski has led the Eagles to three Division III World Series appearances, including a second-place finish at the 2007 NCAA Championships.
The Eagles and the Panthers will face-off again on Sunday, as Emory will make the return trip to LaGrange for a 2:00 PM game.
