The Emory University baseball program ushered in a new era under first-year Head Coach Bobby Perez with a thrilling, come-from-behind 12-11 victory over Berry College in the 2025 season opener Friday afternoon at Chappell Park in Atlanta.

The Eagles erased deficits of 7-0 and 11-8 to give Perez his first official win as the head of the program.  Sophomore Jake Lawson and senior Blake Dinçman combined to drive in six runs and senior Matthew Sicoli provided the theatrics with a go-ahead, two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning to cap off the Emory rally.

Two runs in the first and five runs in the second gave the appearance of a rude start to the season as the Vikings quickly grew to a 7-0 edge against Emory starter Josh Zuckerman.

However, the Eagles responded with a flurry in the third inning with a seven-run frame to even the score at 7-7. Following RBI hits from junior Zach Wasserlauf, Lawson and sophomore Aidan Conley, Dinçman brought the score to 7-6 with his bases-clearing double to left center. Newcomer Ryan Henry then came through with his first big hit wearing Blue & Gold with a game-tying single up the middle.

Senior Jack Halloran put the Eagles ahead the following inning as he brought home Lawson with a single through the left side. Unfortunately, Berry used the middle innings to regain the lead as the visitors scored once in the fifth and sixth and twice in the seventh to take an 11-8 lead.

With one out in the eighth, Emory's late-inning rally began with back-to-back walks from junior Adrien Armstrong and sophomore Mitchell Smallwood before both Eagles advanced a base on a wild pitch. Berry reliever Cole Porter struck Wasserlauf out before being relieved by Timothy Cassidy.

Following the pitching change, the Eagles struck with timely hits as Lawson scored two with a single prior to Sicoli smacking a two-run blast over the left field fence in the next at bat to give Emory the lead once more.

Senior Bennett Speicher closed the door on the win as he recorded a 1-2-3 ninth inning with three ground outs for his first save. Sophomore Nick Stellabotte recorded the win as he pitched a perfect eighth frame in his Eagles debut.

The Eagles and Vikings are set to conclude the season-opening series on Saturday with a doubleheader set to get underway at 2:00 PM in Mount Berry, Georgia.