EMORY'S TWARDOSKI NAMED THE SOUTH
REGION COACH OF THE YEAR
(Aug. 10) Emory University Head Baseball Coach Mike
Twardoski has been named the American Baseball Coaches Association
(ABCA)/ Diamond Sports Company NCAA Division III South Region Coach
of the Year for the 2007 season.
Twardoski led the Eagles to a second-place finish at the 2007
Division III National Championship, the best ever finish for a
University Athletic Association (UAA) baseball program, and the
best finish for any Emory program in a team-based sport.
Emory's 43 wins during the year were the most in school
history. During the season, Twardoski also led the program to
its fourth-outright UAA Championship.
This marks the second time that Twardoski has been honored as the
South Region Coach of the Year. He also won the award in
2000, when he took Emory to the National Championship Tournament in
his first season as a collegiate head coach. Twardoski has
now completed eight seasons at the Eagles' helm, compiling a career
record of 269-99. The trip to the Division III Championship
in 2007 was the third under his reign.
Twardoski will be honored with the award at the ABCA National
Convention in Philadelphia, Pa. on Friday, January 4th.
EMORY'S JASON GLUSHON INKS FREE-AGENT DEAL WITH OAKLAND ATHLETICS
(June 15) - Jason Glushon, who recently
completed his Emory University baseball career as one of the
school's all-time premier pitchers, has signed a free-agent deal
with the Oakland Athletics.
The 6-foot-2, 185-pound right-hander brought home a bevy of honors
after helping the Eagles to a 43-10 record during the 2007 campaign
that included a runner-up finish in the NCAA Division III
Championships. Glushon was named to the American Baseball
Coaches Association (ABCA) All-America second team and was tabbed
as the South Region Pitcher of the Year by both the ABCA and
National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA).
Jason tied the school seasonal record for wins after finishing with
a 13-2 ledger and crafted an ERA of 2.32. On the national scene, he
finished second in the nation in wins, third in strikeouts (112)
and 56th in ERA. He tossed 125.1 innings, the 11th-highest
single-season total on the Division III record books.
Career-wise, the four-year letterwinner, etched himself prominently
in a number of school categories. He ranked third in career
wins, registering a 29-4 mark, and was third in ERA with a mark of
2.32. He finished fourth on the school's all-time chart in
innings pitched (311), fifth in career starts (41) and sixth in
strikeouts (236).
Glushon will report to the AZL Athletics of the Arizona Rookie
League this weekend.
MORE POSTSEASON ACCOLADES FOR EMORY'S
JASON GLUSHON
(June 5) The postseason honors continued to roll in for
Emory starting pitcher Jason Glushon, as the
senior was named the South Region Pitcher of the Year by the
National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA).
Glushon becomes the second pitcher in the history of the Emory
baseball program to garner the honor from the NCBWA. Former
Eagle Will Carr (‘05C) was a co-winner of
the award after his junior season in 2004. Jason also
received 26 votes for the NCBWA Pitcher of the Year, finishing
sixth overall in the voting.
Glushon finished the 2007 season with a school-record 13 wins
(including one in the Division III Championship tournament), and
led the team with a 2.23 ERA and 112 strikeouts. His 17
starts during the year are the 10th-most in Division III history,
and his 125.1 innings pitched are the 11th-highest single-season
total on the Division III record books. He finished the year
second in the nation in victories, third in the nation in
strikeouts and 56th in ERA.
Earlier in the season, Jason was named to the American Baseball
Coaches Association (ABCA) All-America second team, the
d3baseball.com All-America third team, the ABCA South Region
Pitcher of the Year, and the University Athletic Association (UAA)
Player of the Year. Glushon was selected to the NCAA Division
III Championship Tournament Team, after compiling a 1.93 ERA with
12 strikeouts in 14 innings pitched. Emory concluded the 2007
season with a 43-10 record and a second-place finish at the
National Championship Tournament.
COLLEGE SPORTS TELEVISION TO AIR NCAA
DIVISION III BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
(June 4) - Emory University baseball fans can relive the
Eagles' dramatic run at the NCAA Division III Baseball
Championships this week when College Sports Television (CSTV) airs
the event on a tape-delay basis. This year's Championship was
held May 25-29 in Grand Chute, Wisconsin.
The games will air consecutively on CSTV starting on Tuesday, June
5 through Sunday, June 10. CSTV can be viewed on DIRECTV
channel 610 and DISH Network channel 152.
After dropping its opening game to UW-Stevens Point, the Eagles
regrouped and rattled off four straight victories to advance to the
championship round.
Emory's opener against UW-Stevens Point will be aired on Tuesday at
9:00 a.m. and its second-round contest against Eastern Connecticut
State can be seen on Wednesday (June 6) at noon. The Eagles
can be seen twice on Friday (June 8) with their contests against
Chapman and SUNY-Cortland slated for 9:00 am and 3:00 p.m.
telecasts, respectively. Emory's 18-7 demolition of
UW-Stevens Point, the game the propelled the Eagles into the
championship round, will be televised on Saturday (June 9) at 9:00
a.m. On Sunday, Emory's final game of the Championship will be
televised at 9:00 a.m.
The following is the schedule of games to be aired
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
NCAA Division III Baseball Championship Game 1 (Emory vs.
UW-Stevens Point) -- 9:00 a.m.
NCAA Division III Baseball Championship Game 2 (Carthage vs. E.
Connecticut State) -- Noon
NCAA Division III Baseball Championship Game 3 (Chapman vs.
Marietta) - 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
NCAA Division III Baseball Championship Game 4 (Kean vs.
SUNY-Cortland) -- 9:00 a.m.
NCAA Division III Baseball Championship Game 5 (Emory vs. E.
Connecticut State) -- 12 noon
NCAA Division III Baseball Championship Game 6 (Marietta vs.
SUNY-Cortland) -- 3:00 p.m.
Thursday, June 6, 2007
NCAA Division III Baseball Championship Game 7 (UW-Stevens Point
vs. Carthage) - 9:00 a.m.
NCAA Division III Baseball Championship Game 8 (Chapman vs. Kean)
-- Noon
NCAA Division III Baseball Championship Game 9 (Cortland vs.
Carthage) - 3:00 p.m.
Friday, June 8, 2007
NCAA Division III Baseball Championship Game 10 (Emory vs. Chapman)
- 9:00 a.m.
NCAA Division III Baseball Championship Game 11 (UW-Stevens Point
vs. Kean) -- Noon
NCAA Division III Baseball Championship Game 12 (Emory vs.
SUNY-Cortland) - 3:00 p.m.
Saturday, June 9, 2007
NCAA Division III Baseball Championship Game 13 (Emory vs.
UW-Stevens Point) - 9:00 a.m.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
NCAA Division III Baseball Championship Game 14 (Emory vs. Kean) -
9:00 a.m.
TWO EAGLES EARN NATIONAL HONORS
(June 4) Senior pitcher Jason Glushon and
junior second baseman Joe Roth were each honored
on a national level for their performances during the 2007 baseball
season. Glushon was named to the ABCA Division III
All-America Second Team, while Roth was placed on the American
Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA)/ Rawlings Gold Glove team.
Glushon becomes the 10th Emory baseball player to be named an
All-American, and the first since the 2004 season. The senior
becomes one of five Emory pitchers named All-Americans.
Glushon finished the 2007 season with a school-record 13 wins
(including one in the Division III Championship tournament), and
led the team with a 2.23 ERA and 112 strikeouts. His 17
starts during the year are the 10th-most in Division III history,
and his 125.1 innings pitched are the 11th-highest single-season
total on the Division III record books.
Roth made just three errors in 226 chances at second base during
the season. The junior also led the team during the year with
58 RBIs and five home runs. This season was the inaugural
season for the ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove team.
Emory concluded the 2007 season with a 43-10 record and a
second-place finish at the National Championship Tournament.
EMORY FINISHES SECOND AT THE DIVISION
III BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
(May 29) Emory University took home the silver trophy from
the NCAA Division III National Championship, suffering a 5-4 in 10
innings at the hands of the champions, Kean University
(N.J.). The second-place national finish is the best in the
history of the baseball program.
"It was absolutely an incredible season," said Emory Head Coach
Mike Twardoski. "We have a real family of
players out there, from kid one to kid 35."
On two days rest, Ian Ganzer pitched nine innings,
allowing three earned runs while striking out eight for the
Eagles.
"That's the character of the team," said Twardoski on Ganzer's
performance. "For Ian to pitch like he did on two days rest
is incredible."
Designated hitter Steve Bralver finished the day
three-for-four, with a solo-home run a double and three
RBIs. Bralver, along with third baseman Frank
Pfister, shortstop Brandon Custer, and
pitcher Jason Glushon were each named to the
All-Tournament team.
Emory finishes the season with a 43-10 record, setting a school
record for wins in a single season. By virtue of making the
championship final, Emory is the highest finishing University
Athletic Association team in the Division III College World Series
in the conference's history.
EMORY SWEEPS DOUBLEHEADER TO ADVANCE TO
THE NCAA BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
(May 28) The Emory University baseball team will compete
in its first-ever National Championship on Tuesday, after winning
back-to-back games against the second-ranked State University of
New York Cortland, and the sixth-ranked University of Wisconsin
Stevens Point. The Eagles defeated Cortland 6-3 in the early
game, followed by a 18-7 blowout of Stevens Point.
Starting pitcher Jason Glushon led the Eagles to
victory against Cortland, earning his school-record tying 13th win
of the season. Glushon allowed two earned runs and struck out
seven over six innings, and Rich Babb came in for
the final three innings, giving up just three hits for his sixth
save of the season.
The big hit in the game came off the bat of David
Hissey. With the Eagles trailing 1-0 with two outs
and two men on in the bottom of the fourth inning, the junior
swatted his first home run of the season to give the Eagles a 3-1
lead. Cortland tied the game with two runs in the top of the
sixth inning, but the Eagles answered back with RBI singles for
Tommy Dugan and Steve Bralver to
take the lead for good.
The Eagles dug a hole for themselves in the late game as
well, falling behind 6-0 to Stevens Point after four innings.
However, Emory came storming back, posting a seven-run fifth inning
to take the lead, and cemented the game with a 10-run sixth inning.
Joe Roth hit his fifth home run of the
season in the win and recorded his 58th RBI of the season, the
third most during a single season in school history.
Meanwhile, Frank Pfister picked up his 86th hit of
the season, setting a new school record. He is just two hits
shy of breaking into the top-15 hits during a season in NCAA
Division III history.
Catcher Tyler Short and outfielder Dan
Molnar each scored twice in the sixth inning of the game,
tying a NCAA Championship record.
The 18 run outburst comes just one day after the Eagles scored 16
runs against the nation's top-ranked team, Chapman University
(Calif.).
The pair of wins for the Eagles raises the team's record
to 43-9 this season, and sets a school for most wins in a single
season by an Emory team. The previous best was 42 victories,
recorded by the 2004 Emory team.
With the wins, Emory advances through the losers bracket to play
the winner's bracket champion, Kean University (N.J.). The
two will play for the championship tomorrow at 1:00 PM EST, and
4:30 PM EST if necessary. Emory will need to win both games
in order to claim the championship.
THIRD-RANKED EMORY BASEBALL ROUTS THE
TOP-RANKED CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY AT THE NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP
(May 27) Third-ranked Emory University jumped out to a 14-0 lead
over the top-ranked team Chapman University (Calif.) and never
looked back, as the Eagles picked up a 16-7 win over the
Panthers. Emory scored its 16 runs on 25 hits, while
eliminating Chapman from the NCAA Championship Tournament.
Emory scored seven runs in the first inning, as each of their first
five batters reached to open the game, and Frank
Pfister, Joe Roth, Tommy
Dugan, Tim Cournoyer, Tyler
Short, and Dan Molnar each had RBI
singles during the frame. Emory chased Chapman's starting
pitcher, Matt Luzar, from the game after just two-thirds of an
inning pitched.
"It was a great game," said Emory Head Coach Mike
Twardowski. "Starting off with seven runs in the
first inning is a great confidence boost for the kids.
Hopefully, this gets us on a little roll with our bats."
Emory added four more in the second inning, including two on an RBI
triple by Dugan. The Eagles added two more runs in the third
inning and one each in the fourth, seventh and ninth innings to cap
the game off.
Emory fell just two runs and three hits shy of the NCAA records in
a Division III Championship game. The 16 runs and 25 hits are
both the second-best team totals this season for Emory.
Third baseman Frank Pfister finished the day
four-for-four with two doubles, three RBIs and four runs
scored. His 84 hits this season are just one shy of the
school's single-season record, set by Andrew Pinckney in
2003. Pfister is now hitting .398 this season.
"It felt good," said Pfister. "It's nice to see us getting
strings of hits in the tournament, like we were all season and in
the regionals."
Second baseman Joe Roth recorded four hits on the
day as well, and his two RBIs give him 55 this season and move him
into a tie with Pinckney for the third-most RBIs in a single season
in school history.
Emory starting pitcher Sam Cunningham earned his
fourth win of the season, throwing five innings, while allowing six
runs on nine hits. Freshman Will Gumm
pitched three innings, and senior Tony Vidal threw
one to close the game out.
The win assures the Eagles, who improved to 41-9 this season, of
their best national finish in school history. Emory, which is
one of four remaining institutions in the tournament, finished
fifth in 2003 and seventh in 2000. No previous Emory team has
won more than one game in the Division III World Series. The
Eagles are also one win shy of tying the school record of 42 wins
(set in 2004) in a season.
The Eagles will continue their run in the NCAA Tournament on
Monday, as Emory will face Cortland State (N.Y.) at 1:00 PM EST
tomorrow. Should the Eagles win that game, they will play
again tomorrow at 4:30 PM EST, for the right to play in the
championship game on Tuesday.
THIRD-RANKED EMORY UNIVERSITY BOUNCES
BACK WITH A WIN AT THE DIVISION III WORLD SERIES
(May 26) Third-ranked Emory University stayed alive at the
NCAA Division III Baseball Championship, eliminating the
fifth-ranked Eastern Connecticut State University from the
tournament with a 5-4 come-from-behind victory. The Eagles
won the game with a two out, pinch-hit RBI single from senior
Tim Cournoyer, giving the Eagles their 19th
come-from-behind of the season and their 14th win in their final at
bat.
The Eagles got off to a quick start, scoring two runs in the first
inning on a Sam Cunningham double. However,
the Warriors responded with a run in the third and fourth inning,
and two in the fifth to take a 4-2 lead over the Eagles.
It remained a 4-2 game until the seventh inning, when senior
Zander Sotiriou reached on an error by the Eastern
third baseman, followed by an RBI double for junior David
Hissey, that struck off the wall in leftfield. When
the next batter, freshman Dan Molnar, dropped a
textbook bunt down the third baseline, the catcher fielding it
threw the ball away into right field, allowing the tying run to
score.
After closer Rich Babb held the Warriors scoreless
in the eighth inning, junior Brandon Custer walked
to open the inning, and advanced to second on a two out balk.
Cournoyer came in to pinch hit with two outs, drawing a 1-2 count
before hitting a line drive to left field that dropped in, allowing
Custer to score the go-ahead run.
"He gave me a fastball on the outer half of the plate, and I was
able to hit the line drive" said Cournoyer after the game.
Babb remained in the game, closing out Eastern in the ninth and
earning his eighth win of the season out of the bullpen, extending
his school record.
Senior Ian Ganzer got the start for the Eagles,
allowing four runs (two earned) on six hits and striking out seven
over seven innings pitched.
"Senior leadership really got us through the game," said Emory Head
Coach Mike Twardoski. It was a good win, even though we still
didn't swing the bats the way we should. But, like we've done
all season, we were able to work through it and come away with a
win."
The victory is the Emory's second in the program's three
appearances in the Division III National Championship. The
Eagles went 0-2 in the 2000 World Series, and 1-2 in 2003.
Emory raised its 2007 record to 40-9, marking just the second time
in school history that the team has won 40 games (the Eagles
finished the 2004 season with 42 victories).
Emory's next game will take place at 4:30 PM EST on Sunday, when
the Eagles will face off against the loser of the Chapman
University (Calif)/ Kean University (N.J.) game, which begins at
8:45 PM EST.
EMORY HELD TO ONE HIT IN A 2-0 LOSS TO
THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN STEVENS POINT
(May 25) University of Wisconsin Stevens Point pitcher
Jordan Zimmermann pitched just the second one hitter in the history
of the NCAA Division III Championship, as the Pointers defeated the
Eagles 2-0 in the tournament's opening game.
The shutout was the first time Emory has been held scoreless in 313
games. The last time the Eagles were unable to put a run on
the board was in the World Series on May 27th, 2000 against
Montclaire State University.
The Eagles fell behind early in the game. The Pointer's
leadoff hitter, Brad Archambeau, reached on an error in the first
inning after the Eagles' shortstop Brandon Custer
was unable to backhand a ground ball. Two batters later,
Stevens Point pitcher Jordan Zimmermann doubled to the gap in
left-centerfield, allowing Archambeau to score the first run of the
ballgame.
The Pointers added a second run in the bottom of the fourth inning
on a sacrifice fly from Ryan Byrnes with the bases loaded, scoring
Zimmermann from third.
The Eagles threatened Zimmermann in the eighth inning, after Custer
led the inning off with a hit by pitch, and Bo
Schill drew a pinch hit walk, but Zimmermann pitched
around the base runners, and escaped the inning without allowing a
run.
Jason Glushon pitched well for the Eagles,
throwing his third complete game of the season in the loss, and
allowing just one earned run on eight hits. However, his
record fell to 12-2, in what is likely to be his final collegiate
appearance.
The Eagles will play an elimination game tomorrow at 11:00 AM EST,
as they will face off against the loser of the Carthage College/
Eastern Connecticut State University game later today.
EMORY TO COMPETE IN THE NCAA DIVISION
III BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
(May 24) The Emory University Eagles will continue their
quest for a National Championship on Friday, as the team will begin
play at the 2007 NCAA Division III World Series. It will mark
the program's third appearance in the World Series, and the first
since the 2003 season. The Eagles will open championship play
on Friday at 11:00 AM EST, facing off against the University of
Wisconsin Stevens Point Pointers.
Similar to the NCAA Regional Tournament, the National Championship
will be a double-elimination style tournament. Fans can
follow all of the action through live-streaming video online, by
going to the Championship website, or www.ncaasports.com.
THE TEAMS
Emory will begin the tournament with a 39-8 record this
season, after winning the South Regional with a dramatic 12-inning
come-from-behind victory against Ferrum College (Va.). The
Eagles own the third ranking in the nation in the latest ABCA poll,
and are the top ranked team in the South Region. When the
Eagles hold their opponents to five runs or less this season, the
team is a perfect 33-0. Emory is led by head coach
Mike Twardoski, who has compiled a 267-97
recording during his eight seasons at the Eagles' helm. He is
assisted by Ethan Solomon, Mike
Clark, Ryan Shekell and Doc
Partin.
In Emory's opening game, the Eagles will take on the UW Stevens
Point Pointers, who will be making their second-consecutive trip to
Appleton. The Pointers finished 1-2 in last year's World
Series. This season, UW Stevens Point has compiled a 32-15
record, including a 4-1 performance in the Midwest Regional
tournament. The Pointers are ranked sixth in the latest ABCA
poll. Head Coach Pat Bloom has a 130-60 record in four season
at the team's lead, and is assisted by Tom McHugh, Chuck Brehm and
Jake Frombach. When the Eagles meet the Pointers on Friday,
it will be the first-ever meeting between the teams.
Carthage College (Wis.) will enter the tournament with a 36-11
record, and is the eighth-ranked team in the nation. Carthage
is 8-10 over the course of five trips to the World Series in the
school's history. The Red Men finished 4-0 in the Central
Regional tournament this season, after entering the postseason as
the third seed. The two teams met in the regional round of
the 2003 NCAA Tournament, with the Eagles coming away with a 14-4
win over the Red Men. Carthage is coached by Augie Schmidt
IV, and he is assisted by Cory Everts, Tom Kucharski and Adam
Smith.
Eastern Connecticut State University will carry a 4-0 record in the
New England Regional, along with a 38-10 overall record in 2007 and
the fifth ranking in the nation into the World Series. This
will be the team's 11th appearance in the Division III Baseball
Championship, as the Warriors have registered four National
Championships, one second-place finish and a third-place finish in
the school's history. Should the Eagles meet the Warriors, it
would be just the second game between the two, and the first since
the Eagles took a 7-6 win over Eastern in 1997. The Warriors
are led by head coach Bob Wojick, and assistant coaches Len Reed
and Mark Stevens.
Chapman University (Calif.) will be making its seventh appearance
in the College World Series, and their third-consecutive
trip. Chapman holds a 10-11 record in World Series play,
including one championship and a third place finish. The
Panthers are 40-6 and the top-ranked team in the nation entering
the tournament, after winning the West Regional with a 4-1
record. The Eagles and the Panthers have never met prior to
the tournament. Chapman is coached by Tom Tereschuk, and he
is assisted by Dave Edwards, Jeff Sears and Jason
Mooneyham.
Marietta College (Ohio) will enter the tournament trying
to become the first repeat Division III National Champions since
the Rowan University (N.J.) in 1978 & 1979. Marietta has
made the most appearances in the World Series out of any
participating institution, as this will be the team's 19th trip to
the Championship Tournament. Marietta is tied with Eastern
Connecticut with a Division III-best four National Titles, to go
along with six second-place finishes and one third-place finish,
while compiling a 43-30 record in championship play.
Marietta, ranked seventh in the nation, holds a 32-15 record during
the season including a 4-1 mark en route to winning the Mideast
Regional tournament. The Pioneers and the Eagles have never
faced each other during a game. Marietta is coached by head
coach Brian Brewer, and assistant coaches Mike Deegan, Tyler Mott,
Chris Hendricks and Jim Bonnette.
Kean University (N.J.) will be making their first-ever trip to the
College World Series, after compiling a 39-8 record during the
regular season, and winning the Mid-Atlantic Regional with a 4-0
record. The Cougars are ranked fourth in the nation in the
latest ABCA poll. Should the Cougars and the Eagles meet, it
will be the first time in the history of the two programs.
Kean is led by head coach Neil Iovlero, and assistant coaches Jaime
Iovliero, Lewis France, Jack Nagy, Francisco Romero and Frank
Beckhorn.
The SUNY Cortland will return to the World Series for the eighth
time in school history this season, after compiling a 40-5 record
and earning the second ranking in the nation. The Red Dragons
hold a 13-14 record in championship play, earning a second-place
finish and two third-place finishes over the program's
history. Cortland and Emory have never met over the two
programs' histories. The Red Dragons won the New York
Regional after finishing 4-1 in the tournament. Cortland is
coached by Joe Brown, and his assistant coaches Craig Kerner, Mike
Hubbs, Ben Albright, Brian Huber and Mike Ondrako.
EMORY NOTES
In the Eagles' previous two NCAA Tournaments, the Eagles
have finished seventh in 2000, and fifth in 2003... Emory holds a
1-4 record in championship play, as former Eagle Reed Harvey is the
only Emory pitcher to record a win in World Series play... The
Eagles' hold the fourth-best win-loss percentage in the nation
(0.830), the eighth-best fielding percentage in the nation (0.968)
and the 14th-best earned run average (3.01)... Jason
Glushon was named the South Region Pitcher of the Year by
the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) and an All-America
third team member by d3baseball.com... Glushon and second baseman
Joe Roth were both All-South Region first
team members, while closer Rich Babb was named to
the All-Region second team... Glushon's 12 wins this season are the
second most in the nation, and one shy of the school's
single-season record... The senior pitcher has struck out 100
batters this year, the fourth-most in school history, and became
the first Eagle to break the century mark in strikeouts since the
2007 season... Glushon's 111.1 innings pitched are a school
record... Roth is ranked 61st in the nation in RBIs per game
(1.13)... David Hissey is 49th in the nation in
stolen bases per game (0.6)... Frank Pfister, the
MVP of the South Regional tournament, is striking out just once
every 22.2 at bats, the 57th-best mark in the nation... Ian
Ganzer's 80 strikeouts are 21st in the nation, and his
eight wins are 29th-most in the nation.
GLUSHON NAMED TO THE D3BASEBALL.COM
ALL-AMERICA TEAM
(May 23) Emory University starting pitcher Jason
Glushon was named to the d3baseball.com All-America Third
Team. It marks the first time that Glushon has garnered an
All-American honor during his collegiate career.
The senior compiled a 12-1 record with a 2.26 earned run average
during the season. His 12 wins this year are the third-most
in the nation, and are just one shy of the school single-season
record. Glushon struck out 100 batters during the year,
becoming the first Eagle to break the century mark in strikeouts
since 1997. His 111.1 innings pitched and counting eclipsed a
school record.
Earlier in the season, Glushon was named the University Athletic
Association Player of the Year for his performance during the
conference's annual tournament. He is a two-time all-region
and all-conference pitcher. The American Baseball Coaches'
Association (ABCA) All-Region and All-American teams are yet to be
announced.
Glushon's performance during the season helped the Eagles to the
NCAA Division III World Series, where he will be pitching
Emory's opening game against the University of Wisconsin
Stevens Point on Friday.
EMORY BASEBALL EARNS COLLEGE WORLD
SERIES BERTH FOLLOWING 6-5 WIN OVER FERRUM COLLEGE
ABC
13 (Lynchburg VA) News Report
(May 20) A two-out single in the 12th inning by sophomore
catcher Tyler Short scored Brandon
Custer from second base and helped propel Emory University
to a 6-5 win over Ferrum College in the regional championship game
of the NCAA Division III Tournament. The win sends Emory to the
NCAA Baseball Championship next weekend in Grand Chute, Wisconsin.
The victory upped Emory's record to 39-8 while Ferrum closed out
its campaign at 27-18.
Custer opened the 12th with his third hit of the game and advanced
to second following a sacrifice by Bo Schill.
After an Emory strike out, Short came to the plate and received new
life after the Ferrum left fielder dropped a fly ball in foul
territory. Short made the most of the opportunity and singled
to right center field.
The victory was well earned as the Eagles fought back from a pair
of two-run deficits. Emory trailed by a 5-3 margin going into
the top of the ninth but stayed alive when senior Sam
Cunningham drilled a two-run homer with one out that
knotted the contest.
The game featured plenty of offense and scoring chances with the
teams combining for 31 hits and 26 runners left on base. The
Eagles fashioned 16-hit attack led by junior Frank
Pfister with four safeties in six plate appearances and
three hits apiece by Cunningham and Custer.
Senior Ian Ganzer started the game on the mound
for Emory and went the first 5 2/3 innings, allowing four runs
while fanning four and walking one. Senior Jason
Glushon came on in relief of Ganzer and hurled a solid 4
2/3 innings that saw him allow just one run while striking out
five. Senior Rich Babb tossed the final 1
2/3 frames and notched his seventh win of the campaign in eight
decisions, allowing one hit and striking out one.
Three Eagles made the All-Regional team led by Pfister who was
chosen as the MVP after blistering opposing pitching staffs for a
.640 average with 16 hits in 25 at-bats. Pfister also scored
seven runs and totaled five RBIs. Ganzer and junior second
baseman Joe Roth also were selected to the
team.
Emory is one of eight teams that advance to the NCAA
Championship. The Eagles, making their first appearance at
the event since 2003, open play in the double-elimination format
against Wisconsin-Stevens Point (32-15) on Friday (May 25) starting
at 10:00 a.m. (CDT). Other first-round games on Friday
include Carthage College (36-11) against Eastern Connecticut State
(38-10) at 1:15 p.m.; Chapman University (40-6) vs. Marietta
College (32-15) at 4:30 p.m.; and Kean University vs. SUNY-Cortland
(40-5). All games will be played at Time Warner Cable Field
at Fox Cities Stadium (capacity/5,500).
TOP-SEEDED EMORY DROPS A HEARTBREAKER TO
FERRUM IN 12 INNINGS
(May 19) The top-seeded Emory Eagles dropped their first
game of the NCAA South Regional Tournament, losing 11-6 in 12
innings to the Ferrum College (Va.) Panthers. The loss forces
a final tournament-deciding game between the Eagles and the
Panthers on Sunday at noon.
The Eagles led 3-2 after one inning, opening their half of the
first inning with three straight hits, including an RBI single for
Joe Roth and a two-RBI, two out double for
Brandon Custer. The RBI for Roth was his
53rd of the season, the sixth-highest single-season total in Emory
history.
Ferrum battled back though, scoring three unanswered runs, and the
Panthers led 5-3 heading into the bottom of the ninth inning.
The Eagles, however, saved a little bit of magic for the ninth
inning. After David Hissey led the inning
off by getting hit by a pitch, the Eagles recorded two straight
outs. Down to their final out, Frank Pfister
singled, followed by an error from the Panthers' third baseman to
fill the bases with Eagles. After a bases loaded walk to
Custer brought the Eagles to within one, a wild pitch with
Tim Cournoyer at bat scored the game-tying run,
and set the contest into extra innings.
The Eagles' magic stalled in the extra frame, however, as Ferrum
posted a six-spot in the top of the 12th inning. A run for
the Eagles in the bottom of the inning was too little too late for
Emory.
The loss drops the Eagles to 38-8 during the 2007 campaign, while
the Panthers improve to 27-17. The two will play a
winner-take-all game on Sunday, as the winner will advance to the
NCAA Division III World Series in Appleton, WI, next week.
EMORY ADVANCES TO SOUTH REGIONAL
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
(May 18) Emory University took one step closer to the NCAA
Division III World Series on Friday, as the Eagles defeated the
Ferrum College (Va.) Panthers 9-6, advancing to the South Regional
Championship game. The win leaves Emory as the lone
undefeated team in the Regional Tournament.
Despite falling behind 2-0 after three innings, the Eagles battled
back in the bottom of the fourth, opening the inning with
back-to-back doubles for Joe Roth and
Frank Pfister to score Emory's first run of the
game. The Eagles added three more runs in the inning, four
more in the sixth and one in the bottom of the eighth to secure the
win.
Senior Sam Cunningham pitched five innings for the
Eagles, allowing two runs on five hits, while improving to 3-0
during the 2007 campaign. Freshman Adam Genn
recorded the final five outs of the game for Emory, earning his
second-career save.
Pfister and Roth each finished the day three-for-five with a run
scored and two RBIs. Pfister also added a tremendous diving
catch on a ground ball in the third inning, recording an out to
hold Ferrum to just two runs in the inning.
The victory puts Emory one win away from the team's third trip to
the World Series in the history of the program. On Saturday,
the Eagles will face the winner of a York College (Pa.)/ Ferrum
game, which will take place on Saturday as well.
TOP-SEEDED EMORY DELIVERS 10-3 BLOW TO
METHODIST
(May 17) The Emory University Eagles continued their
winning ways on Thursday night, winning their second game of the
NCAA Division III South Regional 10-3 over Methodist University
(N.C.). The victory for Emory is the team's third over the
Monarchs this season, as the Eagles are now one of just two
undefeated teams in the regional.
The Eagles jumped out to a quick lead in the game, scoring two runs
in the first inning after back-to-back doubles for David
Hissey and Sam Cunningham, followed by a
sacrifice fly for Joe Roth. However,
Methodist answered back with three unanswered runs over the next
five innings, leaving the Eagles trailing 3-2 after five.
Emory opened up their offense in the sixth and seventh innings,
after Roth and Frank Pfister led the top of the
sixth off with back-to-back singles, followed by a game-tying RBI
groundout for pinch hitter Dan Molnar, and a
go-ahead RBI infield single for Brandon
Custer. The Eagles' cemented their lead in the
seventh, putting a five-spot on the board, which included a two-RBI
triple for Cunningham, and a two-RBI single for Custer. The
five-run seventh gave the Eagles a 9-3 lead, and effectively took
Methodist out of the ballgame.
Pfister continued to strive in the NCAA Tournament setting, going
four-for-five with a double, two runs and an RBI in the game.
The junior third baseman is seven-for-nine in his first two
tournament games.
Cunningham and Custer each had three-RBI games, while Roth finished
the game three-for-four with a double, three runs scored and two
RBIs.
Starter Jason Glushon picked up the win for the
Eagles, allowing three runs over seven innings, while striking out
four and walking one. The win brings Glushon's record to 12-1
in 2007, putting him one win shy of Will Carr's single-season
school record of 13 victories, set in 2004. The win also
marks the 28th of the senior's career, moving him ahead of Carr for
sole possession of third place on the Emory's all-time list.
The win advanced the top-seeded Eagles through the winner's bracket
of the tournament, and sets up a matchup between the Eagles and the
only other undefeated team in the tournament (and host
institution), Ferrum College (Va.) on Friday at 1:15 PM. The
winner of Friday's game will receive an automatic place in
Saturday's championship games, while the losing team will play
later in the day for the right to compete for the Regional
Title. The champion of the South Region will advance to the
NCAA Division III World Series in Appleton, WI next week.
TOP-SEEDED EMORY WINS ITS OPENING GAME
OF THE NCAA TOURNAMENT
(May 17) The Emory University Eagles began their NCAA
Tournament run in positive way on Thursday, defeating Bridgewater
College (Va.) 10-1 behind seven well-pitched innings from
Ian Ganzer. The Emory victory raises the
team's record to 36-7 during the season, while the loss eliminates
Bridgewater from the NCAA Tournament.
The Eagles got off to a quick start, opening the game with
five-consecutive hits, including back-to-back RBI doubles for
Joe Roth and Frank Pfister to
give Emory a 2-0 lead after the first inning. The Eagles
broke away for good in the third inning, when Emory scored six
runs, including three on a bases-loaded, two out error by the
Bridgewater pitcher, who threw away a Zander
Sotiriou bunt.
Meanwhile, Ganzer, the senior starting pitcher, was dominant on the
mound, allowing just one earned run on six hits over seven innings
of work. Ganzer did not walk a batter, while striking out
five, en route to raising his record to 8-1 during the 2007
campaign.
"Ian Ganzer set the table, and the rest of the team followed suit,"
said Emory Head Coach Mike Twardoski.
At the plate, Pfister came through with a three-for-four day,
including the RBI double, while David Hissey and
Tommy Dugan each registered two hits during the
game.
Emory will continue to battle for the right to play in the Division
III World Series later today, as the Eagles will meet the Methodist
University (N.C.) Monarchs, who picked up a 21-14 victory over
Bridgewater in the opening game of the tournament. The first
pitch for tonight's game is slated for 7:45 PM.
EMORY BASEBALL TO COMPETE IN THE NCAA
SOUTH REGIONAL
(May 15) The Emory University Baseball team, ranked fourth
in the nation, will begin post-season competition on Wednesday, as
the Eagles will open the South Regional branch of the NCAA
Tournament. Emory will be one of seven teams competing at
Ferrum, VA from Wednesday until Sunday. The tournament will
have a double-elimination format, with the eventual winner
advancing to the NCAA Division III World Series in Appleton,
WI.
The Eagles will begin their tournament play on Wednesday night at
8:15 PM. Emory will face off against either Methodist
University (N.C.) or Bridgewater College (Va.), depending on the
results of games earlier in the day.
THE RECORDS & SEEDINGS
Emory will be the top-seeded team in the regional
tournament, beginning play on Wednesday with a 35-7 record during
the regular season. The Eagles are ranked fourth in Division
III baseball, and first in the South Region. Emory is 5-2
this season when playing at a neutral site, and a perfect 30-0 when
the team holds its opponent to five runs or less in a game.
The second-seeded Salisbury University (Md.) will enter tournament
play with a 32-8 record, including a 5-2 mark when playing on
neutral territory. The Sea Gulls are ranked 10th in the
latest ABCA poll, and second in the South Region in both the NCAA
and ABCA regional rankings.
York College (Pa.) will be the third seed in the tournament, after
compiling a 29-12 record during the regular season. The
Spartans are ranked third in the South Region in the NCAA rankings
and sixth in the ABCA poll. York is 7-3 when playing on a
neutral site in 2007.
The fourth-seeded Methodist University finished the 2007 campaign
with a 29-13 record. The Monarchs are 1-2 in neutral games,
and are ranked 24th nationally in the ABCA poll, and fourth
regionally according to the NCAA and ABCA.
The Bridgewater College Eagles will be the fifth seed in the
regional, after winning the Old Dominion Athletic Conference
Tournament, and earning an automatic bid to the NCAA
Tournament. Bridgewater finished the season with a 21-21
record, including a 4-3 mark in neutral games.
The host institution, Ferrum College (Va.), will be the sixth-seed
in the tournament. The Panthers will carry a 22-16 record
into tournament play, after earning an automatic bid with a win at
the USA South Tournament. Ferrum is 10-5 at home this
season.
Rounding out the bracket will be the seventh-seeded Villa Julie
College (Md.). The Mustangs finished their 2007 campaign with
a 24-20 record, and earned a bid to the tournament by virtue of a
second-place finish at the North Eastern Athletic Conference
Tournament (the conference tournament winner, Keystone College, was
ineligible for NCAA tournament play). Villa Julie was 3-0 in
neutral-site competition during the season.
THE MATCHUPS
Although Emory and Salisbury are yet to face off in 2007,
the two have a long history in the NCAA Tournament. Last
season, the Sea Gulls eliminated the Eagles from the NCAA Regionals
with a 9-7 win in 2006. The two teams have met in the
tournament six times, with Salisbury holding a 4-2 record over
Emory.
York faced Emory earlier in the season, as the Eagles came away two
one-run victories, including a 6-5 win and a 7-6 victory in 10
innings, both at the Rawlings Tournament. Emory is 13-1 all
time against York, including a 10-4 win over the Spartans in the
2004 NCAA Tournament.
The Eagles have won four-consecutive games against Methodist
University, including two 3-2 victories top open the 2007
season. The Eagles are 16-13 all time against Methodist, and
1-1 against the Monarchs in the NCAA Tournament.
Emory will carry a 11-4 all time record against
Bridgewater into the tournament, including a 9-2 win during the
2001 NCAA Tournament. The Eagles defeated Bridgewater 6-1
earlier in the season.
Emory and Ferrum have met just four times in the history
of the two programs, with the teams splitting the games. They
met in the NCAA Tournament in 1996, with the Panthers coming away
with a 4-3 win.
Should the Eagles meet Villa Julie College, it will mark
the first-ever game between the two institutions.
THE COACHES
Salisbury head coach Doug Fleetwood has compiled a
228-79-6 record during his seven seasons at the team's helm.
He is assisted by Ron Siers, Troy Brohawn, Nate Israel, Greg
Lasinski and Matt Reynolds.
The head coach of the York College Spartans, Paul Saikia, is in his
19th year at the team's helm. He holds a career record of
424-287-3. Saikia is assisted by Mike Scappa, Matt Day and
Elwood Fake.
Methodist is coached by Tom Austin, who holds a
847-337-8 record during his 27 years with the Monarchs. He is
assisted by pitching coach Kevin Allingham.
Bridgewater is led by Curt Kendall, who is in his 21st season with
the Eagles. Kendall is the winningest coach in Bridgewater
history, holding a 470-301-6 with the team. He is assisted by
Ben Spotts and Ray Heatwole.
Ferrum is coached by Abe Naff, who announced that he will be
retiring after the 2007 season is over. He is among the five
active winningest coaches in Division III baseball, with a
606-224-2 record during 22 seasons with the Panthers. He is
assisted by Darren Hodges and Anthony Everman.
Villa Julie is led by Jason Tawney, who is concluding his fifth
season at the helm of the team. He holds a 103-109 record
during his time with the Mustangs, and is assisted by Mark
Chiveral.
EMORY NOTES
This season will mark Emory's ninth trip to the NCAA
Tournament since the program began competition in 1991... The
Eagles have won their regional tournament twice in school history,
once in2000 and again in 2003... Emory recorded its best national
finish in 2003 when the Eagles finished fifth in the nation at the
Division III World Series... Emory will enter the tournament with
the fifth-best team winning percentage (.833), the 13th-best team
ERA (2.94) and fielding percentage (.967) and the 20th-most stolen
bases per game (2.48) in Division III baseball... Eagles' starting
pitcher Jason Glushon is third in the nation in
wins (11), fifth in strikeouts (91) and 64th in ERA (2.17)... He is
tied for third in school history with 27 career wins, and his 11
victories this season are the second-most in Emory history, and two
shy of the record of 13, set by Will Carr in
2004... Fellow starter Ian Ganzer is 26th in
strikeouts (71), 45th in wins (7), 66th in ERA (2.18) and 90th in
strikeouts per nine innings (8.6)... Closer Rich
Babb is ranked 33rd in the nation in saves (5)... Second
baseman Joe Roth is ranked 77th in the nation in
RBIs per game, and has the 10th-highest single-season total in
school history (47)... Leftfielder David Hissey is
52nd in the nation with 0.62 stolen bases per game.
FOURTH-RANKED EAGLES SELECTED TO NCAA
TOURNAMENT
(May 14) The Emory University Baseball Team received its
long-awaited bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament early Monday
morning. Emory will be the top-seed in the South Region, and
will travel to Ferrum, VA to take part in the seven-team
regional.
The Eagles' first game of the tournament will take place on
Wednesday, May 16th at 8:15 PM EST. The Eagles will face the
loser of the tournament's first game, between the fourth seed
Methodist University (N.C.) and the fifth seed Bridgewater College
(Va.). The other four teams include the second-seeded
Salisbury University (Md.), the third-seed York College (Pa.), the
sixth-seed and host institution Ferrum College (Va.), and the
seventh-seed Villa Julie College (Md.). Coverage of all of Emory's
games will be provided on Teamline.
Teams are eliminated from the regional round of the tournament
after losing two games. The winner of the region will advance
to the NCAA Division III World Series, which will take place in
Appleton, WI.
EMORY'S BRANDON CUSTER NAMED TO THE
ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT TEAM
(May 11) Brandon Custer, the starting shortstop for the
fourth-ranked Emory University baseball team, was named to the
ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District first team for the
2007 season, as voted on by the College Sports Information
Directors of America (CoSIDA).
This marks the first time in Custer's career that he has been named
to the Academic All-District team. The senior shortstop
concluded the regular season batting .331 with two home runs, 20
runs batted in and 25 runs scored, while starting 41 of 42 games
for the Eagles. Meanwhile, he has maintained a 3.43 grade
point average while following the highly difficult and competitive
Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology major at Emory.
By virtue of being named to the Academic All-District first team,
Custer will be nominated for the Academic All-America Team.
Voting for the Academic All-District team is conducted by the
members of CoSIDA in the states of Florida, Georgia, North
Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. To be eligible, a
nominee must be at least a sophomore with a 3.2 grade point average
and a starter or key reserve on his team. Emory nominees are
placed in the "college division" category, which is composed of all
NCAA Division II and III schools, along with NAIA programs.
THREE FORMER EAGLES TAKEN IN INAUGURAL
ISRAEL BASEBALL LEAGUE DRAFT
(Apr. 30) The Emory University baseball team will be well
represented when play begins for the Israel Baseball League, as
three former Eagles were selected in the organization's inaugural
draft. Pitcher Mike Kerfeld was taken by the
Netanya Tigers with the first pick in the fourth round (19th
overall), while former Eagles' outfielders Aaron
Rosdal and Bryan Langbord were taken
back-to-back with the second and third picks in the seventh round
(38th & 39th overall), by the Petach Tikva Pioneers and the Tel
Aviv Lightening respectively.
The draft, which took place on Thurday, April 26th in New York
City, was moderated by the IBL's Director of Player Personnel
Martin Berger, and ESPN's Jeremy Schaap.
"Many of my colleagues were busy with another draft this week,"
said Schaap. "But, I think I got the better assignment."
Bryan Langbord finished his time at Emory as the school's leader in
career doubles (62), and fourth in RBIs (137). Langbord was
an All-NCAA Regional Tournament player in 2003 and 2004, an
All-South Region player in 2004, and a three-time All-University
Athletic Association team member. More impressive than his
career statistics, however, his perseverance, when he
returned for his senior season in 2006 after missing all of 2005
with a serious illness. Langbord hit .291 with 14 doubles and
29 runs scored in 2006.
"A lot of guys love the game of baseball [at Emory]," said
Langbord, when asked about Emory's large representation in the
draft. "There are lot of quality players who want to keep
playing."
Mike Kerfeld, who transferred to Emory after playing on the
University of Tennessee's College World Series team, played one
season for the Eagles, compiling a 5-0 record. His 1.80 ERA
is the lowest by an Emory pitcher who has thrown at least 50 career
innings, and ranked him 26th in the nation in 2006.
Aaron Rosdal played three seasons for the Eagles, batting .285 with
59 runs scored in 69 games started. In addition, Rosdal stole
32 bases in 39 attempts.
"I'm extremely honored to be here," said Rosdal at the draft with
an ear-to-ear smile on his face. "When I left Emory, I
thought my career was over, but I'm back."
"Aaron has been a great ambassador for this league," said
Berger.
The draft consisted of 10 rounds, as each team selected half of
their rosters for the upcoming season. The remaining players,
including a fourth former Eagle, pitcher Daniel
Kaufman, will be added to the rosters in the near
future. To view the video of the draft, please go to
www.israelbaseballleague.com.
EMORY BASEBALL ENDS ITS REGULAR SEASON
ON A SIX-GAME WINNING STREAK
(Apr. 29) The fourth-ranked Emory Eagles closed out
their 2007 regular season on a high note, winning each of their
last six games, including a 11-6 win on Sunday against the
University of Dallas (Texas). The win brings the Eagles'
final regular-season record to 35-7, the second-best mark in school
history.
Emory got off to an early start in the game, picking up three base
hits to open the game, and scoring when a bases-loaded
Frank Pfister sacrifice fly was dropped by Augie
Kersting in right field, allowing two runs to score. Emory
added two more in the first on a two-RBI single from Bo
Schill, his 18th and 19th RBIs of the season.
However, Emory was paced by Joe Roth's bat, as the
junior went three-for-four, including a double and a bases-loaded
triple, his first of the season, in the fourth inning that extended
the Eagles lead to 8-1 and put the game out of reach for the
Crusaders. Roth has recorded 47 RBIs during the season, the
10th-highest total in school history, and finished the two-game set
with Dallas six-for-eight with three doubles and a triple.
Senior Zander Sotiriou, playing in his final game
at Chappell Park, was the place setter for Emory, picking up three
hits and scoring two runs in the leadoff spot for the Eagles.
Jason Glushon started the game for Emory, pitching
five and one-third innings, finishing the regular season with a
11-1 record and a 2.17 ERA. Glushon's 11 victories tie him
with Ryan Donegan for the second-highest total in school history,
and put him just two behind Will Carr's record of 13 victories in
2004.
Emory finished the regular season with a 22-1 record at Chappell
Park, as the Eagles will now turn their attention to the NCAA
Regional Tournament. While Emory will await the official
announcement with regards to their entry to the tournament, as the
fourth-ranked team in the nation, the Eagles are likely to be a top
seed when they receive their bid.
FOURTH-RANKED EAGLES WIN FIFTH-STRAIGHT
IN ROUT OVER DALLAS ON SENIOR DAY
(Apr. 28) Emory University showcased its graduating
players on ‘Senior Day', as senior Sam
Cunningham belted two solo home runs, and classmate
Ian Ganzer pitched five and one third innings of
two-hit baseball, as the Eagles took apart the University of Dallas
8-1 at Chappell Park. The win elevates Emory's record to
34-7, while Dallas fell to 17-16-1 on the campaign.
Cunningham's two home runs included a solo home run in the top of
the first inning, giving Emory a 1-0 lead. The two-blast day
was the first of Cunningham's career, as the right fielder hit his
first two home runs of the season. He finished the day
two-for-three with three RBIs and two runs scored.
A trio of senior pitchers got the job done on the mound for the
Eagles. Besides Ganzer's outing, which earned him his
career-best seventh win of the season, Anthony
Vidal struck out four in two and two-thirds perfect
innings of relief work, and Rich Babb closed the
game out in the ninth inning.
Another special Emory moment occurred early in the game, as senior
Mike Levin started in leftfield for the Eagles,
after missing the entire 2007 due to injury. Levin, who has
been a tremendous leader on the bench throughout the season for
Emory, played half an inning before being lifted in the bottom of
the first.
Youth also prevailed in the game for Emory, as sophomore catcher
Tyler Short hit his first-career home run, a
two-run blast in the fourth inning of Dallas starter Scott Crisp,
which gave the Eagles a 7-1 lead over the Crusaders.
The win is the fifth-consecutive victory for the Eagles, the team's
third-longest streak of the season. Emory will conclude its
regular season tomorrow, as Dallas will stay in Atlanta to finish a
two-game set with Emory.
EMORY PITCHING SHUTS OUT LAGRANGE
(Apr. 25) Jason Glushon pitched seven
shutout innings for Emory University, and Joe
Roth, Frank Pfister, and Tim
Cournoyer each drove in two runs, as the fourth-ranked
Eagles defeated the LaGrange College (Ga.) Panthers 10-0. The
win is the fourth-consecutive victory for Emory, as the Eagles
improved to 33-7 during the 2007 season.
Coming off of his worst start of the season, Glushon rebounded in a
strong way on Wednesday, allowing three Panther hits and striking
out six during his seven-inning performance, while lowering his
season's ERA to 1.91. The victory is the senior's 10th of the
season, tying him for the third-best single season total in school
history. Glushon has recorded 26 career wins, the
fourth-highest total in school history.
The combined shutout is the third of the season for the Eagles, and
the first that Glushon has been a part of this season. The
Eagles have outscored their opponents 17-1 in the last two
games.
Leftfielder David Hissey was the spark for the
Eagles again, finishing the day two-for-three with a double, a RBI
and three runs scored, the first run of the game in the third
inning. The junior now leads the team with a .379 batting
average, and is batting .600 (12-for-20) over his last four
games.
Roth's two RBIs give him 44 for the season, as he begins to climb
the list of best single-season RBI totals in Emory history.
The junior currently has the 15th-most RBIs in a season for an
Emory player.
Emory will conclude its season this weekend, as the Eagles will be
welcoming the University of Dallas (Texas) to Chappell Park for a
two-game set, including Emory's ‘Senior Day' on Saturday.
EAGLES COMPLETE THREE-GAME SWEEP OF
MARYVILLE
(Apr. 24) Third-ranked Emory University picked up its
third-consecutive win over Maryville College (Tenn.), defeating the
Scots 7-1 behind seven well-pitched innings for Ian
Ganzer.
Ganzer allowed just three hits over his seven innings pitched,
while striking out 10 batters and not giving up a run. Ganzer
was dominant throughout the game, striking out six batters over a
two inning stretch in the sixth and seventh. The senior
picked up his sixth win of the season, lowering his ERA to 2.35
after the outing.
Offensively, Bo Schill lead the way for the
Eagles, giving Emory a 3-0 lead with a two-out, two-RBI single in
the first inning, and adding a bases loaded two-RBI double in the
fifth. The senior is now hitting .308 this season with 16
RBIs.
The reigning UAA player of the week, David Hissey,
continued to be a sparkplug at the top of Emory's lineup, going
three-for-four with two runs scored and two stolen bases. The
leftfielder is batting .373 this season with 25 stolen bases.
Emory will be back in action tomorrow, as the Eagles will head to
LaGrange College (Ga.) to face the Panthers for the second time
this season, and the first time on the road.
FOURTH-RANKED EAGLES TO CONCLUDE THEIR
2007 REGULAR SEASON
(Apr. 23) The Emory University Baseball Team will
conclude its season this week, as the Eagles will play Maryville
College (Tenn.) at Chappell Park on Tuesday, travel to LaGrange
College (Ga.) on Wednesday, and conclude their season with two home
games against the University of Dallas (Texas) on Saturday and
Sunday. The week's games include Emory's Senior Day
festivities, which will take place during Saturday's game.
THE MATCHUPS
On Tuesday, the Eagles will attempt to sweep Maryville
College during the 2007 season, as the Scots will come to Atlanta
to conclude the three-game series between the two teams.
Emory took two games from Maryville this weekend, defeating the
Scots 12-7 in 14 innings on Saturday, and 5-3 on Sunday. The
Eagles won each of the games in their final at bat. Emory
leftfielder David Hissey went seven-for-13 (.538)
during the two games, driving in three runs and scoring two out of
the leadoff spot for the Eagles. Emory holds a 25-19 all time
record against Maryville, and has taken five-straight games from
the Scots.
Emory will face LaGrange College for the second time this season on
Wednesday. The Eagles defeated the Panthers 5-4 on March
30th, as Ian Ganzer allowed just one earned run
over eight innings pitched, and Sam Cunningham
went two-for-four with two runs, an RBI and a double. Emory
holds a 20-7 all-time record against LaGrange.
The Eagles will meet the University of Dallas for a two-game set
this weekend, including Senior Day on Saturday. Emory is 0-2
all time against the Crusaders, with Dallas having swept a two-game
series from the Eagles in Chappell Park in 2003.
THE RECORDS
Emory will enter the week with a 31-7 record during the
2007 season. The Eagles are ranked fourth in the nation
according to the latest ABCA Division III Poll, and first in the
region. Emory holds a 7-2 record against teams ranked in the
top-30 in Division III, and the Eagles are 27-0 in games when their
opponent scores five runs or less. Emory is 19-1 in games at
Chappell Park this season.
Maryville will begin the week with a 22-17 record, but have lost
five straight and six of their last seven games. The Scots
are 7-11 in road games this season.
LaGrange begins the week with a 25-14 record, and a 20-6 record at
home this season. The Panther have won six of their last
eight games, and are 21-2 when they are leading a game after six
innings.
The University of Dallas is 17-15-1 during the 2007 campaign, and
is 4-7-1 in road games this year. The Crusaders have won
seven-consecutive games coming into the weekend.
THE COACHES
Emory Head Coach Mike Twardoski is in his
eighth season at the Eagles' helm. Under Twardoski, Emory is
257-94 overall, and 39-11 in conference play. Twardoski has
led the Eagles to five conference titles, five NCAA Tournament
appearances, three NCAA regional championships, and two top-ten
national finishes. He is assisted by pitching coach
Ethan Solomon, along with Mike
Clark and Clyde ‘Doc' Partin.
Maryville is coached by Daniel Washburn, who is currently in his
first season as the head coach of the Scots after spending three
years as an assistant at LaGrange College. Washburn is
assisted by his pitching coach, John Rypel.
LaGrange head coach Kevin Howard served as the head coach at Emory
for six seasons prior to coaching the Panthers. Howard led
Emory to three-straight NCAA tournament berths. He is
assisted by Ryan Grice and John Rhodarmer.
The University of Dallas is coached by Chris Strockbine, who will
complete his second season with the team this weekend.
Strockbine has compiled a 36-30-1 during his two years with the
program.
EMORY NOTES
Emory holds the ninth-lowest team ERA in Division III
baseball this season... The Eagles have also compiled the 17th-most
stolen bases per game, and the 18th-best fielding percentage...
Jason Glushon is ranked third in the nation with
nine wins, seventh in strikeouts, and 21st in earned run average...
Ian Ganzer is ranked 22nd in strikeouts and 60th
in victories... David Hissey has recorded the
48th-most stolen bases in Division III this season... Hissey was
named the University Athletic Association's Baseball Athlete of the
Week for his performance over four games last week... The junior
batted .450 (nine-for-20) in the leadoff spot for the Eagles,
scoring three runs and driving in four... In addition, Hissey
scored the game-winning run on Sunday against Maryville...
Joe Roth and Frank Pfister have
started every game at second and third base respectively for the
Eagles this season... Roth, Hissey and Dan Molnar
each picked up eighth at-bats on Saturday against Maryville,
setting a new school record... Hissey's five hits in the game tied
a school record.
NO. 3 EAGLES BASEBALL GETS ITS SECOND
WIN IN MARYVILLE
(Apr. 22) Emory University Baseball picked up its second
win in as many days against Maryville College (Tenn.), as the
third-ranked Eagles defeated the Scots 5-3 on Sunday. The win
raises the Eagles' record to 31-7 during the 2007 campaign.
Emory fell behind early as Maryville took a 2-0 lead in the first
inning off Eagles' starting pitcher Sam
Cunningham, who allowed three runs on five hits before
being lifted after five innings of work. But, after an RBI
single for Tim Cournoyer in the fourth and a solo
home run for Joe Roth in the sixth, the Eagles
trailed by just a run after six innings.
At the start of the bottom of the sixth inning, Julian
Smith entered the game for the Eagles in relief, pitching
three hitless innings and allowing just one walk, and giving the
Eagles' offense an opportunity to pull even with the Scots.
The Eagles bats did just that in the top of the seventh, with
Tommy Dugan scoring the game-tying run on an RBI
single off the bat of Dan Molnar.
Emory took the lead for the first time in the top of the ninth
inning. With two out, David Hissey singled
and stole second, advancing to third on a throwing error by the
catcher. Molnar then struck again for the Eagles, plating
Hissey for the game-winning run, and later scoring himself on a
single by Roth.
With the top of the Maryville order due up in the bottom of the
ninth, Jason Glushon entered the game for just his
second appearance out of the bullpen this season. Glushon
went on to strike out all three batters he faced for his first save
of the season, and the third of his career.
Roth now has a career-best four home runs and 40 RBIs over the 2007
season, leading all Emory players in both categories.
The Eagles will face the Scots again on Tuesday for their final
meeting of the regular season, as Maryville will travel to Chappell
Park on Tuesday.
EMORY SNAPS THREE-GAME SKID WITH
14-INNING WIN AT MARYVILLE
(Apr. 21) The third-ranked Emory University Baseball Team ended its
three-game losing streak in dramatic fashion on Saturday, defeating
Maryville College (Tenn.) on the road by a score of 12-7 in 14
innings.
Emory scored the game-winning run in the 14th inning on a one-out
RBI single from Tyler Short, scoring Bo
Schill. The Eagles went on to add four more runs
during the inning, all on RBI singles from David
Hissey, Dan Molnar, Joe
Roth and Sam Cunningham.
The real star for the Eagles though was senior pitcher Rich
Babb. With Maryville having eroded the Eagles' 7-1
lead in the bottom of the sixth inning, Babb, typically used as the
Eagles' closer, entered the game to stop The Scots' attack, and
stayed in for a total of seven innings and not allowing a run on
three hits.
The top of the lineup was particularly productive for the Eagles,
as David Hissey tied a school record with five
hits in the game, driving in three runs and scoring two.
Second hitter Dan Molnar recorded four hits and
two RBIs in the game, and Joe Roth, who hit in the
three spot, had two hits, including a double, and three RBIs.
All three players had eight at bats in the game, setting a new
school record.
The Eagles record 21 hits during the game, tying the team's
second-highest total of the year. With the win, Emory
improves to 30-7 this season. The Eagles will face Maryville
Cfor a second game in Tennessee on Sunday, before the Scots visit
Chappell Park on Tuesday.
EMORY DROPS THIRD-STRAIGHT, FIRST OF
THE SEASON AT HOME
(Apr. 19) The Emory University Baseball Team, ranked third
in the nation, lost its third-consecutive game on Thursday, falling
18-13 to Huntingdon College (Ala.). The loss marks the second
of the season to Huntingdon, and the first at Chappell Park this
season for Emory.
After falling behind 4-0 after half an inning, the Eagles battled
back, scoring nine unanswered runs, including three on
Zander Sotiriou's second home run of the
season. Sotiriou, who entered the year with one career long
ball, has now gone deep in two of Emory's last three games.
Things fell apart for Emory in the sixth inning though, as starter
Jason Glushon and Ian Ganzer
combined to let 10 Huntingdon Hawks cross the plate during the
inning.
Trailing by nine runs heading into the bottom of the ninth,
Tim Cournoyer gave Emory some hope with a grand
slam, his second home run of the season, but the deficit was too
much for Emory to overcome in the end.
The loss in the game was credited to Glushon, his first of the
season.
With the loss, Emory falls to 29-7 this season, as the team has now
lost four-straight games to Huntingdon. The Eagles will
travel to Maryville College (Tenn.) this weekend, for a two game
set on Saturday and Sunday.
THIRD-RANKED EMORY BASEBALL LOSES
SECOND-STRAIGHT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 2007
(Apr. 18) The third-ranked Emory University Baseball team
dropped its second-consecutive game, losing 10-1 to its Division II
opponent, North Georgia College and State University. It
marks the first time this season that the Eagles have lost
two-straight games.
The loss comes despite a solid start for Emory's Sam
Cunningham. In just the second start of his career,
Cunningham did not allow an earned run in five innings, giving up
five hits and striking out six. The senior did not walk a
batter in the outing.
Cunningham lowered his ERA to 1.93 this season, and has now struck
out 17 batters in 18.2 innings pitched.
The Eagles could not get their bats going though, as North Georgia
pitching held them to just four hits during the game. Emory's
lone run came in the top of the fourth inning, when David
Hissey drew a leadoff walk, and scored on a Dan
Molnar double in the next at bat.
Molnar's double was the only extra-base hit of the game for Emory,
as the freshman has raised his batting average to .314 this season
with 15 runs batted in.
The loss drops Emory to 29-6 this season, as the Eagles will try to
snap the losing streak on Thursday, when Emory will welcome
Huntingdon College (Ala.) to Chappell Park.
NO. 3 EAGLES SPLIT DOUBLE-HEADER WITH
30th-RANKED RHODES COLLEGE
(Apr. 15) Emory University swatted four home runs during a
double-header against Rhodes College (Tenn.), as the Eagles picked
up the win in the opening game 14-3 over the Lynx, but suffered an
8-3 defeat in the second game. The split brings the Eagles'
record to 29-5 during the campaign, the second-best record through
34 games in the program's history.
The first game was marked by a power surge for the Eagles,
as Emory belted three home runs in the win. Senior Bo
Schill struck first for Emory, giving the Eagles a 1-0
lead with a solo shot over the leftfield wall and spurring a
three-run fifth inning. In the seventh inning, Tommy
Dugan stretched the Emory lead with a three-run blast, the
first of the freshman's career. Finally, with Emory well in
control of the game and the bases loaded, Zander
Sotiriou hit his second-career home run and first grand
slam to secure the victory for Emory.
Senior Ian Ganzer started the game for
Emory, allowing three runs on four hits, while striking out eight
batters in seven innings. Ganzer improved to 5-1 this season
with the win, and now holds a 2.36 earned run average in
2007.
The starter for Rhodes, Robert Flanagan, entered the game
leading the nation in wins this year with a 10-0 record, but took
his first loss of the year against the Eagles.
Emory's luck turned in the second game, however, as the Eagles
suffered just their second defeat to a top-30 team in Division III
this season. With the loss, Emory's record against teams
ranked in the latest ABCA Poll drops to 9-2 in 2007.
The key play in the game came in the bottom of the fifth inning
with nobody out and a man on first base, and the Eagles leading
2-1. On a ground ball hit to second base, Joe
Roth's throw pulled shortstop Brandon
Custer off the bag, but Custer appeared to touch the base
with his back foot before the runner reached. However, the
umpire called the runner safe, and Rhodes went on to score five
runs during the inning.
Freshman Dan Molnar had a career day for Emory in
the loss, finishing the game two-for-three with an opposite field
solo home run, and a triple. Molnar also scored three runs
and drew a walk during the game. The outfielder is now
hitting .310 this season with 28 runs scored and three home runs
this season.
The loss snaps Emory's season-best ten game winning streak, as the
Eagles have won 16 of their last 18 games.
THIRD-RANKED EAGLES DEFEAT NO. 10
WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN 11 INNINGS
(Apr. 14) In a battle of top-10 Division III baseball teams, No. 3
Emory University edged 10th-ranked Washington University 5-4 (Mo.)
in 11 innings in Millington, TN. The victory marks the third
time this season the Eagles have defeated the Bears, as Emory
improves to 5-2 in conference play, and 28-4 overall during the
2007 campaign.
Emory scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the 11th, after
junior David Hissey led off the inning with a
single, followed by a stolen base. A one out walk-off RBI
single for second baseman Joe Roth plated Hissey
from second base.
Hissey finished the day four-for-six, with two runs scored and the
stolen base in the 11th inning. Roth went two-for-five during
the day, raising his season average to .358. The RBI was his
team-leading 33rd of the season.
The Eagles never trailed in the game, and held a 3-0 lead after
three innings, and a 4-1 lead after four innings.
Senior Jason Glushon pitched eight strong innings
for the Eagles, allowing three runs on five hits while striking out
six in the no decision. Despite giving up the lead, closer
Rich Babb struck out four and gave up just two
hits in three innings, earning his sixth win of the season, all in
relief.
The win brings Emory to 3-0 in extra innings play this season, and
to 25-0 in games that Emory holds its opponents to five runs or
less. The Eagles did not commit an error in the game for the
seventh time this season, bringing the team's record to 6-1 in
games where the team goes errorless, and 18-1 when the Eagles
commit one error or less.
Emory will be back in action in Millington, TN on Sunday, when the
Eagles will play Rhodes College (Tenn.) in a double-header,
beginning at 12:00 PM EST.
EMORY BASEBALL IN THE NCAA DIVISION III
STATISTICAL RANKINGS
(Apr. 11) The NCAA has released its first Division III baseball
statistical rankings for the 2007 season, and the third-ranked
Emory Eagles are near the top of many of both the team and
individual categories.
In the rankings, which include games through April 8th, Emory is
the sixth-ranked team with a 0.867 winning percentage. As a
team, the Eagles are ranked in the top-30 in at least one
offensive, pitching and fielding category. Emory is ranked
seventh in the nation with a 2.56 earned run average, 23rd with a
0.964 fielding percentage, 28th with 2.3 doubles per game, and 29th
with 2.43 stolen bases per game.
In addition to the team rankings, seven Emory players appeared on
the rankings, which include the top-100 players in 18 statistical
categories. Senior Jason Glushon led the way
for Emory, as he currently has the third-most wins (nine), the
ninth-most strikeouts (67) and the 14th-lowest ERA in the nation
(1.11). Ian Ganzer is currently 27th in
Division III baseball in strikeouts (48), 71st in wins (four) and
97th in ERA (2.17), while closer Rich Babb
is 12th with five saves, and 34th with five victories, and
Anthony Vidal's four wins tie him with Ganzer for
71st in the category.
Offensively, Frank Pfister and Joe
Roth are ranked 53rd and 92nd respectively in at bats per
strikeout, while David Hissey is 48th in stolen
bases per game (0.63) and Brandon Custer is 100th
in hit-by-pitch per game.
EMORY COMPLETES SEASON SWEEP OF
OGLETHORPE WITH 8-3 WIN
(Apr. 10) Emory University defeated Oglethorpe University (Ga.) for
the third time this season on Tuesday, claiming an 8-3 victory over
the Stormy Petrels. The win gives the Eagles a season-best
eight-game winning streak, and is the 14th Emory win in the team's
last 15 games.
The game marked a number of firsts for Emory players. Senior
Sam Cunningham made his first-career start,
allowing one run on four hits over four innings in the no
decision. Junior pitcher Scott Widyn, in his
first year with the Eagles, picked up his first-career win, not
allowing a run while giving up three hits over 1.2 innings.
Emory took a 2-0 lead in the second inning of the game, after
back-to-back hits for Dan Molnar and Joe
Roth each drove in a run. The lead would not last,
however, as Oglethorpe battled back with a run in the fourth and
two in the fifth off a two-run home run by Andrew Llano, to take a
3-2 lead over Emory.
The Eagles came back again though, scoring the game-tying run in
the fifth inning on a sacrifice fly for Molnar, his second RBI of
the game. Emory took the lead for good in the next inning, as
Bo Schill knocked in the go-ahead run on a single
to leftfield, and Zander Sotiriou plated two on a
double to center.
Third baseman Frank Pfister singled in the sixth
inning for Emory, extending his hit-streak to 25 games, the longest
by an Emory player since Bryan Langbord had a
29-game streak in 2004. Pfister finished the day two-for-four with
an RBI.
With the win, Emory improves to 27-4 this season, and 19-0 in games
held at Chappell Park. Tuesday's game ends a four-game
home-stand for Emory, as the Eagles will now begin a four-game road
swing. The Eagles will travel to Millington, TN this weekend,
where they will face Rhodes College (Tenn.) twice, and Washington
University (Mo.) once.
EMORY BASEBALL TO TRAVEL TO MILLINGTON,
TENN.
(Apr. 10) The Emory University Baseball Team will take part in four
more games this weekend, as the Eagles will welcome Oglethorpe
University (Ga.) to Chappell Park on Tuesday, before heading off to
Millington, TN to take on Rhodes College (Tenn.) and Washington
University (Mo.). Emory has already played Oglethorpe and
Washington twice this season, but will be facing Rhodes for the
first time in 2007.
THE MATCHUPS
On Tuesday, Emory will be playing Oglethorpe at Chappell Park for
the second time this season, and the third time overall in
2007. The Eagles have won the two previous meetings this
year, defeating the Stormy Petrels 6-2 at home on March 6th, and
12-4 at Oglethorpe on April 1st. Eagles' catcher
Mathew McDonough is four-for-seven with four RBIs
and three runs scored in the two Oglethorpe games this
season. Emory is now 30-10 all time against Oglethorpe, and
has won eight-consecutive games against the Stormy Petrels.
The Eagles have not lost at home to Oglethorpe since February 19,
1999.
Emory will face off against Rhodes College (Tenn.) on Saturday and
Sunday this week. The games will mark the first meetings
between the two teams in over ten years. Emory is 4-0
all-time against Rhodes, with the last victory coming on March 23,
1997.
The Eagles will face a more familiar opponent on Saturday as well,
as the Eagles will meet Washington University (Mo.) on neutral
ground for the third time this season. Emory defeated
Washington twice at the University Athletic Association (UAA)
Tournament, winning the games 6-4 and 5-1. Emory second
baseman Joe Roth went four-for-seven in the two
games with a double and three runs batted in, while starter
Jason Glushon picked up a complete game victory
against the Bears to clinch the UAA title for the Eagles.
Emory is 16-5 all-time against Washington, and has taken eight of
the last nine games against the Bears.
THE RECORDS
Emory will begin the week with a 26-4 record and are ranked third
in the nation, according to the latest ABCA/ Collegiate Baseball
NCAA Division III Poll. The Eagles are also the top-ranked
team in the South Region. Emory is a perfect 18-0 in games
played at Chappell Park this season, and has tied a season-best
with seven-consecutive wins, and 13 wins in the last 14
games. The Eagles hold a 7-1 record against teams ranked in
the top-30 in the latest poll.
Oglethorpe enters the game with an 8-25 record in 2007, but are
winners of their last three games played. Earlier in the
season, Oglethorpe was mired in a 22-game losing streak, but have
battled back to win four of their last six games.
Washington will begin the week with a 22-5 record, as the Bears
have been ranked 10th-nationally in the most recent poll.
Washington has won ten of its last 11 games, and will be playing a
double-header against DePauw University (Ind.) before taking on the
Eagles.
Rhodes College is 30-4 in 2007, and is currently tied for the
30th-rank in NCAA Division III Baseball. The Lynx have won
eight-straight games and 24 of their last 26.
THE COACHES
Emory Head Coach Mike Twardoski is in his eighth
season at the Eagles' helm. Under Twardoski, Emory is 252-93
overall, and 39-11 in conference play. Twardoski has led the
Eagles to five conference titles, five NCAA Tournament appearances,
three NCAA regional championships, and two top-ten national
finishes. He is assisted by pitching coach Ethan
Solomon, along with Mike Clark and
Clyde ‘Doc' Partin.
The Stormy Petrels are coached by Dan Giordano, who in his third
seasonat Oglethorpe's helm. Giordano graduated from
Oglethorpe in 2002, and is assisted by Justin Bach, Scott Casey and
David Wolensky.
The Washington University Bears are coached by Ric Lessmann, who
has spent 13 years as the head coach of Washington, compiling a
309-179-1 record entering this year, and recently won his 1,300th
baseball game as a collegiate head coach. Lessmann is
assisted by Joe Berchelmann.
Rhodes is coached by Jeff Cleanthes, who is in his fourth season as
the head coach of the Lynx. He is assisted by Rob Schrier and
Steven Wright.
EMORY NOTES
Eagles' third baseman Frank Pfister is currently
in the middle of a 24-game hitting streak, tying former Eagles and
current Boston Red Sox farmhand Andrew Pinckney
for the longest streak since the beginning of the 2004 season...
Emory second baseman Joe Roth was named the UAA
Athlete of the week for his .417 batting average, two home runs and
nine runs batted in during four Emory games last week... Roth leads
the Eagles with three home runs and 31 RBIs during the 2007
campaign... Senior Jason Glushon moved into a tie
for fourth place on the Emory career win list with his 25th victory
as an Eagle... His nine wins this season are the fourth-highest
single season total in school history, and match a career best for
Glushon, set in 2006... Closer Rich Babb picked up
two saves last week, and now has five this season, to go along with
his 5-0 record and 1.99 ERA... After playing 101 games for the
Eagles (mostly as a hitter) without a victory on the mound, senior
Sam Cunningham picked up the first two wins of his
career against the University of the South (Tenn.) and Mississippi
College last week.
EMORY TAKES BOTH GAMES IN SATURDAY'S
DOUBLE HEADER
(Apr. 7) The Emory Eagles, ranked fourth in the nation, won both
games of a Saturday double header, improving their record to 26-4
this year, and extending the team's winning streak to seven
games. The Eagles defeated Mississippi College 7-6 in the
early game, and were victorious over Greensboro College by a score
of 4-2 in the late game.
Emory and Mississippi played a back and forth game throughout the
day, after the Eagles jumped out to a 3-0 lead, scoring a run in
each of the team's first three innings. However, the Choctaws
came back with six unanswered runs over the course of the next four
innings to take a 6-3 lead over Emory, as the Eagles headed into
the bottom of the seventh inning.
Emory scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh, including one
off an RBI single from Joe Roth, pulling the
Eagles to within a run. In the bottom of the eighth, Emory
tied the game on an RBI single from Tommy Dugan,
his second of the day, and took the lead for good on an RBI squeeze
bunt from Tyler Short.
Senior Sam Cunningham pitched the eighth and ninth
innings for Emory to secure the win in relief. After playing
in 101 games for Emory (as both a hitter and a pitcher) without
picking up a victory, Cunningham has won two of Emory's last three
games.
In the second game, Emory picked up two runs in the third inning,
one on an RBI single from Frank Pfister, and never
looked back. The Eagles got insurance runs on an RBI single
from Cunningham, and an RBI groundout for Dugan, going on to win
4-2.
Senior starter Ian Ganzer picked up the win for
Emory, not allowing an earned run on five hits through six innings
pitched. Ganzer improved to 4-1 in 2007, lowering his season
ERA to 2.17. Senior Rich Babb game in to
pitch the ninth and pick up his fifth save of the season, only one
day removed from a three-inning save against Greensboro on
Friday.
Pfister picked up hits in both games, extending his hitting streak
to 24 games. The third baseman is now hitting .387 during the
campaign.
Emory will conclude their four-game home-stand on Tuesday, when the
Eagles will welcome Oglethorpe University (Ga.) to Chappell Park,
for the third meeting between the two teams this season.
Emory has won each of the two previous games against Oglethorpe in
2007.
FOURTH-RANKED EAGLES EDGE GREENSBORO COLLEGE
(Apr. 6) The fourth-ranked Emory University Eagles scored six runs in the first two innings, en route to defeating the Greensboro College Pride (N.C.) 7-6 at Chappell Park. The win raises the Eagles' record to 24-4 in 2007, while the Pride fall to 19-14 with the loss.
The Eagles took a quick lead in the ballgame, as Frank Pfister picked up his first-career home run in the first inning of the ballgame. The two-run shot extended Pfister's hitting to 22 consecutive games. Pfister is now hitting .381 this season with 27 runs batted in.
Senior Jason Glushon picked up his ninth win of the season during the game, and the 25 victory of his career, tying him for fourth all-time in school history. The pitcher allowed one earned run in six innings and struck out fix, and is now 9-0 in 2007 with a 1.10 earned run average.
The turning point in the ballgame though was when closer Rich Babb came out of the bullpen with no outs in the top of the seventh inning, with runners on second and third in a one-run game. Babb went on to record three-straight outs, stranding the runners and preserving the lead. The senior threw three innings to pick up his fourth save of the season.
Second baseman Joe Roth extended his hitting streak to 14 games, finishing the day three-for-five with an RBI.
The Eagles will be back at Chappell Park tomorrow to play a double header. The Eagles will take on Mississippi College at 11:30 AM, followed by a 3:00 PM rematch against Greensboro.
EAGLES ROUT TIGERS 23-3 IN SEVEN
INNINGS
(Apr. 3) Emory University recorded its highest run total since
February 7, 1998, as the fourth-ranked Eagles took apart the Tigers
of the University of the South 23-3 on Tuesday in seven
innings. The Eagles recorded 23 runs on 26 hits in the game,
both season-highs and the second-best totals in school history.
The Eagles got off to a quick start, scoring three runs in the
first inning, including two on a home run from second baseman
Joe Roth, one of two two-run shots on the day for
the junior. Emory went on to score at least two runs in each
inning of the seven-inning ballgame.
Roth's two-home run game was the second of his career, and the
first by an Eagle since Roth last accomplished the feat against
Case Western Reserve University (Ohio) on March 16, 2006. He
finished the day three-for five with six RBIs and three runs
scored, and is now batting .366 with three home runs and 28 runs
batted in this year.
The Eagles added three more home runs during the course of the
game, including a three-run blast by the Eagles' closer
Rich Babb, who entered the game as a pinch hitter
for just the second at bat of his career. Brandon
Custer and Bo Schill each added home runs
as well, the second-career home run for each of the seniors.
The five home runs hit by the Eagles are the second-highest single
game total for the Eagles. Emory hit six home runs against
Wilmington College (Del.) on April 20, 1996.
Frank Pfister went two-for-six in the game, keeping alive
his hitting streak. Pfister has now hit safely in his last 21
games, and in 26 of Emory's 27 games this year.
On the mound for Emory, senior Sam Cunningham
picked up the first win of career, allowing two hits and striking
out four in three innings of relief work. Cunningham has
played in 101 games for the Eagles during his career, but has made
just five appearances on the mound, all of which are in the 2007
season.
The win increases the Eagles' record to 23-4 during 2007, as Emory
will head into a big weekend of baseball at Chappell Park.
The Eagles will host Greensboro College (N.C.) on Friday, before
playing a double-header against Mississippi College and Greensboro
on Saturday.
EMORY BEGINS ITS FINAL MONTH OF
REGULAR-SEASON PLAY
(Apr. 3) The Emory University Baseball team, ranked fourth in the
nation, will begin its final month of regular season competition,
as the Eagles will head to the University of South (Tenn.) on
Tuesday, before coming home to host two games against Greensboro
College (N.C.) and one against Mississippi College this coming
weekend.
The Eagles will enter the week with a 22-4 record, and winners of
nine of their last ten games. Emory is a perfect 15-0 in
games played at Chappell Park this season, and 21-0 in games where
the Eagles hold their opponents to five runs or less. The
Eagles are also 20-1 in games when their opponent starts a
right-handed pitcher.
On Tuesday, Emory will travel to Sewanee, TN to face the University
of the South at 2:00 PM for the second time in the past week.
The Eagles defeated the Tigers 8-2 at Chappell Park last week, with
starting pitcher Anthony Vidal getting the win and
Frank Pfister recording a two-for-three
performance with a double, two runs scored and an RBI. Emory
is now 29-4 all-time against Sewanee, and has taken the last nine
games from the Tigers. Sewanee will enter the game with a
4-21 record in 2007.
On Friday and Saturday at 3:00 PM, Emory will welcome Greensboro
College (N.C.) to Chappell Park. After not meeting for over
four years, the Eagles and the Pride renewed their rivalry last
season, with Greensboro defeating Emory 8-5 in Greensboro. In
last year's meeting, Sam Cunningham went
two-for-three with a homerun. Emory holds a 4-3 record
all-time against Greensboro, and the Pride will enter the weekend
with an 18-13 record.
On Saturday at 11:00 AM, the Eagles will host Mississippi
College. Emory is 2-0 against Mississippi, with both wins
coming in 2003. Mississippi holds an 11-18 record in 2007,
and have lost six of their last seven games entering the game with
the Eagles.
FOURTH-RANKED EAGLES CLAIM VICTORY OVER
CROSS-TOWN RIVAL OGLETHORPE
(Apr. 2) Emory University, ranked fourth in the nation, defeated
Oglethorpe University (Ga.) 12-4 on Sunday to improve to 22-4 on
the 2007 season. Emory has now won nine of its last ten
games, and raises its road record to 3-2 this year.
Emory fell behind early after the Stormy Petrels scored an unearned
run in the first inning. The Eagles responded in the third
innings with four runs on four hits, including a two-run double
down the left field line for Joe Roth that gave
the Eagles the lead for good.
Jason Glushon claimed his eighth win of the season,
improving his record to 8-0 this year, and moving to within five
victories of the single-season school record with 16 regular-season
games left to play. The senior struck out seven batters and
allowed six hits over six innings pitched.
Emory third baseman Frank Pfister picked up a base
hit, extending his streak to 20-games, a new career record for the
junior. The hit-streak is the longest by an Emory player
since the 2004 season, when Andrew Pinckney (now
in the Boston Red Sox minor league system) recorded a 24-game
hitting streak.
Freshman catcher Matthew McDonough and senior
designated hitter Sam Cunningham each had strong
performances in the game. McDonough finished the day
two-for-three with three RBIs and two runs score, while Cunningham
went two-for three with two walks and three runs scored.
Cunningham has walked nine times this season and has an on-base
percentage of .517 this year.
Emory will continue its road swing on Tuesday, as the Eagles will
travel to Sewanee, TN to play the University of the South (Tenn.)
for the second time in the last week.
EAGLES RAISE THEIR RECORD WITH A WIN
OVER LAGRANGE
(Mar. 30) Emory University, ranked fourth in the nation, edged
in-state rival LaGrange College (Ga.) to improve to 21-4 during the
2007 campaign. The win came at Chappell Park, raising the
Eagles' record to a perfect 15-0 at home this season.
In a back-and-forth game, the Eagles took the lead for good in the
bottom of the seventh inning, after Sam Cunningham
singled, advanced to second on a wild pitch, and then scored on a
single hit by Frank Pfister.
Pfister finished the day one-for-four with the RBI single,
extending his hitting streak to 19 games. The junior has hit
safely in 24 of the 25 Emory games this season. He also
scored another run, increasing his team lead to 28 this season.
For his second-consecutive outing, Ian Ganzer
pitched eight innings, allowing one earned run on seven hits and
striking out six. The senior improved to 3-1 during the 2007
season, while lowering his ERA to 2.44.
Rich Babb came out of the bullpen to pitch a perfect ninth
inning, striking out two batters and picking up his third save of
the season.
The Eagles will be back in action on Sunday, when Emory will travel
to cross-town rival Oglethorpe University (Ga.) to play the Stormy
Petrels at 1:00 PM.
FOURTH-RANKED EAGLES DEFEAT SEWANEE
8-2
(Mar. 28) The Emory University Baseball team bounced back from its
road loss on Tuesday, defeating the University of the South (Tenn.)
on Wednesday, 8-2. With the win, Emory, the fourth-ranked
team in the nation, improved to 20-4 during the 2007 season.
The Eagles jumped on top quickly, scoring seven runs in the bottom
of the first inning, including one on an RBI base hit by
Frank Pfister. Pfister finished the day
two-for-three with a double, two runs scored and an RBI.
Pfister has now hit safely in each of his last 18 games, and in 23
of Emory's 24 games this season.
Starting pitcher Anthony Vidal gathered his fourth
win of the season for Emory, allowing one earned run in five
innings of work. Vidal allowed six hits and struck out two,
while lowering his season ERA to 5.29.
The Eagles' bullpen held strong again, as Scott
Widyn, Sam Cunningham, Will
Gumm, and Matthew Katten combined to
allow just three hits and no runs over four innings.
Emory improved to a perfect 14-0 in games at Chappell Park this
season. The Eagles will be at home again on Friday, as Emory
will play host to the LaGrange College (Ga.) Panthers at 3:00
PM.
FOURTH-RANKED EMORY SUFFERS TOUGH 7-6
LOSS TO HUNTINGDON
(Mar. 27) The Emory University Eagles, ranked fourth in the nation,
suffered their fourth loss of the season, dropping a 7-6
heartbreaker to Huntingdon College (Ala.). The Eagles had
leads of 4-0 and 6-3 in the game, but the Hawks scored three runs
in the eighth inning, and the game-winning run in the bottom of the
ninth to defeat Emory.
Jason Glushon started the game for Emory, pitching seven
strong innings in the no decision. Glushon struck out nine
batters for the Eagles, scattering six hits and not allowing an
earned run during the outing. The senior lowered his season
ERA to 0.88, and now has 55 strikeouts in 61.1 innings pitched this
season.
At the plate, Joe Roth went two-for-five with
three RBIs, including a two-run double. Frank
Pfister extended his hit-streak to 17 games, going
one-for-five with two runs scored, two RBIs and a double.
The loss is the first of the season for Emory when the team has
held the lead after six innings, and the first team loss in a game
started by Glushon. The Eagles will look to rebound on
Wednesday, as Emory will return to Chappell Park to face off
against the University of the South (Tenn.) at 3:00 PM.
JASON GLUSHON WINS ASSOCIATION MVP, AS
THE EAGLES MOVE UP IN THE RANKINGS
(Mar. 27) For the second-consecutive year, an Emory University
Eagle will take home the Most Valuable Player honor from the
University Athletic Association (UAA) Tournament, as Jason
Glushon has been named the MVP for his performance at the
Association's annual event. Glushon headlines a list of five
Emory players who were named to the all-Association first
team.
In addition, on the same day the all-Association teams were
announced, the first in-season ABCA/ Collegiate Baseball NCAA
Division III National and Regional Baseball polls were announced,
as the Eagles moved up the rankings to fourth in the nation and
first in the South Region.
Glushon becomes the seventh Eagles to earn the Association's MVP
honor, and follows teammate David Hissey as the
Eagles' second-straight winner. Glushon finished the
tournament with a 2-0 record in his two starts, allowing just 10
hits and one walk, while striking out 15 batters, and did not give
up an earned run in 16 innings pitched. Glushon was second
team all-UAA last season.
Other first team honorees for the Eagles include designated hitter
Steve Bralver, shortstop Brandon
Custer, third baseman Frank Pfister and
second baseman Joe Roth. Pfister garnered
the honor for the second-consecutive year, while the other three
each received the spot on the all-Association team for the first
time.
The five first-team honorees are the most ever by an Eagles team,
besting the mark of four that the Emory has reached five times
during the previous 16 years of UAA competition.
FOURTH-RANKED EMORY TO FACE FOUR REGIONAL OPPONENTS
(Mar. 26) The Emory University baseball team will play four more games this week, as the Eagles will be taking on four regional opponents. Emory will travel to Montgomery, AL to play Huntingdon College (Ala.) on Tuesday, then return home for games against the University of the South (Tenn.) on Wednesday and LaGrange College (Ga.) on Friday, before traveling to cross-town rival Oglethorpe University (Ga.) on Sunday. Emory will begin the week as the fourth-ranked team in the nation, and with a 19-3 record.
The Eagles hold a 15-4 record all time against Huntingdon, but have lost two-straight games to the Hawks, and three of the last four meetings. Last season, Emory's Tim Cournoyer and Sam Cunningham both homered and drove in four runs during a 10-8 loss to the Hawks. Huntingdon will head in to the game with a 15-8 record in 2007. The Hawks are coached by D.J. Conville, who has compiled a 75-33 record with Huntingdon.
Emory will return to Chappell Park on Wednesday to take on the University of the South (Tenn.). The Eagles have won eight-consecutive games against the Tigers, and are 28-4 all time against them. Emory defeated the University of the South twice last season, as Frank Pfister led the way with three hits in seven at bats and two RBIs. The Tigers will enter their game against the Eagles with a 3-17 record in 2007. Sewanee is coached by seventh-year head coach Scott Baker, and assistant coach Adam Caine.
The Eagles will host LaGrange College on Friday, after a planned gamer earlier in the season at LaGrange was rained out. The Eagles defeated LaGrange twice at Chappell Park last season, 6-2 on March 9th and 3-2on April 1st. Jason Glushon was the winning pitcher in both games, allowing just two earned runs on 14 hits and striking out seven over 12 innings pitched against the Panthers. Over the course of his career, Glushon 3-0 against the Panthers with a save, and has allowed just two earned runs in 21.2 innings pitched. Emory has won six of the last seven games they have played against LaGrange, and is 19-7 all time against the Panthers. LaGrange will enter this year's matchup with a 13-10 record. The Panthers' head coach Kevin Howard served as the head coach at Emory for six seasons prior to coaching the Panthers. Howard led Emory to three-straight NCAA tournament berths. He holds a 209-122 record at LaGrange, and is assisted by Ryan Grice and John Rhodarmer.
Emory will conclude its week on Sunday, when the Eagles will play at Oglethorpe University. Emory is 28-10 all-time against The Eagles defeated the Stormy Petrels 6-2 at Chappell Park earlier in the season. Anthony Vidal picked up the win in the game, while Dan Molnar went two-for-four with two RBIs and a triple. Oglethorpe will enter the week with a 4-17 record. The Stormy Petrels coached by Dan Giordano, who in at Oglethorpe's helm. Giordano graduated from Oglethorpe in 2002, and is assisted by Justin Bach, Scott Casey and David Wolensky.
19th-RANKED EAGLES DEFEAT PIEDMONT IN
10 INNINGS
(Mar. 25) Emory University's Brandon Custer
singled with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 10th inning to
give the Eagles a 5-4 victory over Piedmont College (Ga.).
The win is the sixth-consecutive for the Eagles, who completed a
three-game sweep of Piedmont on Sunday, improving to 19-3 during
the 2007 campaign.
Frank Pfister began the 10th-inning for the Eagles, taking
first base after being hit by a pitch, and advancing to third base
on back-to-back bunt singles for Joe Roth and
Sam Cunningham. Still without any outs,
Custer hit a 1-1 pitch over the head of the leftfielder to Pfister,
the game-winning run, from third base.
The game-winning run gave the Eagles their first and only lead of
the ballgame. Emory trailed 3-0 after three innings, and 4-3
after six.
Closer Rich Babb pitched three innings for Emory,
picking up his fifth win of the season in relief. In three
innings of work, the senior allowed just three hits and held
Piedmont scoreless, giving Emory a chance to come from behind to
win the game.
Pfister went one-for-three on the day, extending his hitting streak
to 16 games, a team-best this season.
Steve Bralver continued his tear at the plate as
well, finishing his day two-for-four with two RBI and a
double. The sophomore finished the three-game series with ten
RBI, six extra base hits and a .538 batting average
(seven-for-13).
The win is the second extra-innings victory for Emory this season,
exactly a month removed from the first one on February 25th against
York College (Pa.). Emory improves to 2-0 in extra-innings
games this season. The Eagles, who are ranked 19th in the
nation, will travel to Huntingdon College (Ala.) on Tuesday for
their next game.
19th-RANKED EMORY BASEBALL SHUTS OUT
PIEDMONT
(Mar. 24) The Emory University Baseball team picked up its second
team shutout of the 2007 season, defeating Piedmont College (Ga.)
15-0 in Demorest, GA. The Eagles recorded season-highs in
runs and hits (21), and held the Lions to a season-best two
hits.
The 15 runs scored are the seventh-highest total in school history,
and the most by the Eagles since they defeated Case Western Reserve
University (Ohio) 18-1 on March 16, 2006. The game also marks
the highest margin of victory for Emory since the Case Western
game.
Senior Ian Ganzer pitched eight shutout innings
for Emory, allowing just one hit and two walks while striking out
nine batters. With the win, Ganzer improves to 2-1 in 2007,
and lowers his season ERA to 2.70.
Emory's Steve Bralver picked up his second
four-RBI game of the season, increasing his season total to a
team-leading 24 RBI. The sophomore finished the day
three-for-four with two doubles, a triple and four runs scored.
Junior David Hissey continued his tear at the
plate, going three-for-five with a double and a triple, along with
three runs scored and a stolen base. The leftfielder is
batting .684 (13-for-19) with eight runs and five stolen bases over
his past five games.
Third baseman Frank Pfister picked up three
singles in the game, extending his hitting streak to 15 games, the
longest by an Eagle this season, and increasing his batting average
to .414. Pfister added three RBI and two runs scored, and now
leads the team in the latter category with 22 during the
campaign.
Emory, the 19th-ranked team in the nation, improved to 18-3 with
the victory, its second in as many days Piedmont. The Eagles
and the Lions will meet again on Sunday, as the two teams with
travel back to Atlanta to play at Chappell Park. The start
time of the game will be at 2:00 PM.
GLUSHON GETS SEVENTH WIN IN VICTORY
OVER PIEDMONT
(Mar. 23) Emory University, the 19th-ranked team in the nation,
improved to 17-3 during the 2007 campaign, picking up a 6-1 victory
over Piedmont College (Ga.). The win comes off of the arm of
Jason Glushon, who pitched eight strong innings on
the mound, and the bat of Steve Bralver, who
picked up four RBIs in the game.
Glushon improved to 7-0 this season, giving up one run on three
hits and one walk to the Lions, while striking out eight batters in
the process. The senior has compiled a 0.99 earned run
average in 2007, and has won each of his seven starts this
season.
Bralver finished the day two-for-four with a pair of two-RBI
doubles, including knocking in the game-tying and winning runs in
the bottom of fifth innings. Bralver now leads the Eagles
with 20 RBIs this season.
Junior left fielder David Hissey continued to
swing a good bat, finishing the day four-for-five with two stolen
bases, two runs scored and an RBI. Over his last four games,
Hissey is batting .714 (10-for-14) and has raised his season
average to .377, the second-best total on the team.
The win marks Emory's fourth-consecutive victory, as the Eagles
improved to 20-9 all time against Piedmont. The Eagles will
face the Lions two more times this weekend, on Saturday at
Piedmont, and then on Sunday at 2:00 PM at Chappell Park.
EMORY PICKS UP 10-5 WIN OVER CENTRE
COLLEGE
(Mar. 21) Emory University improved to 16-3 on Wednesday, defeating
Centre College (Ky.) by a score of 10-5 at Chappell Park.
Senior starter Anthony Vidal picked up the
win for the Eagles to raise his record to 3-1 in 2007.
Vidal threw six innings, giving up two earned runs and scattering
six hits. He struck out five batters during the course of his
outing.
Junior left fielder David Hissey led the Eagles
with three hits on the day, scoring two runs and adding an RBI and
two stolen bases. Hissey is now hitting .344 this season with
ten stolen bases.
Freshman Dan Molnar added two hits in three at
bats and two RBI, reaching base on two walks as well, and batting
in the eventual game-winning run in the fourth inning. Junior
designated hitter Steve Bralver picked up a
two-RBI single in the fourth inning as well.
Emory University, the 19th-ranked team in the nation, will have
Thursday off, before beginning a three-game series against Piedmont
College (Ga.) on Friday at 3:00 PM at Chappell Park.
EMORY BASEBALL TO FOLLOW UAA
CHAMPIONSHIP WITH FOUR-GAME WEEK
(Mar. 20) There will be no rest for Emory University following its
win at the University Athletic Association (UAA) Championships, as
the Eagles will continue their 2007 season with four games this
week. Emory will welcome Centre College (Ky.) to Chappell
Park on Wednesday, and will play a three-game series (Friday and
Sunday at home and Saturday in Demorrest, Ga.) against Piedmont
College (Ga.).
THE MATCHUPS
Emory University and Centre College met for the first time last
season, with the Eagles besting the Colonels 8-0 at Chappell Park
on March 23rd. Starter Jason Glushon allowed
four hits and struck out eight batters over six innings in the
game, combining with Julian Smith on the
shutout. Frank Pfister had three RBIs for
the Eagles in the game, including a two-run double.
Emory is 19-9 all-time against in-state rival Piedmont College,
including a 2-1 record against the Lions in 2006.
Outfielder David Hissey scored three runs
and stole three bases during the three games, and starting pitcher
Ian Ganzer struck out nine batters in 6.2 innings
against the Lions, picking up a win.
THE RECORDS
Emory will enter the game with a 15-3 record after taking home the
UAA Championship with a 4-2 record at the Association's
tournament. The Eagles have started a season 15-3 or better
in three of the past four years, and five times in school
history. Emory is currently the 19th-ranked team in the
nation.
Centre College enters the week with a 6-7 record during the 2007
campaign, and is currently on a four-game losing streak.
Piedmont College has opened the season with an 8-13 record, and has
lost three-straight games.
Piedmont will host Centre on Tuesday night, prior to the Colonels'
game with the Eagles.
THE COACHES
Emory Head Coach Mike Twardoski is in his eighth
season at the Eagles' helm. Under Twardoski, Emory is 241-92
overall, and 39-11 in conference play. Twardoski has led the
Eagles to five conference titles, five NCAA Tournament appearances,
three NCAA regional championships, and two top-ten national
finishes. He is assisted by pitching coach Ethan
Solomon, along with Mike Clark and
Clyde ‘Doc' Partin.
Centre is coached by Mike Pritchard, who is in his third season
with the team. Pritchard has compiled a 33-42 record during
his previous two seasons with the Colonels. He is assisted by
Kyle Wynn.
Piedmont is led by head coach Jim Peeples. Peeples, who is
currently in the middle of his sixth season with the Lions, has
recorded a 117-115 record entering the 2007 season. He is
assisted by Justin Scali.
EMORY NOTES
Emory University won the 18tth Annual UAA Tournament, clinching the
Association title with a win against Washington University (Mo.) on
Saturday... With the tournament victory, Emory takes home its
eighth conference title since the Eagles began UAA play in 1991,
and its fourth outright championship... The Eagles have won
four of the past five UAA tournaments, and have recorded
nine-straight top-two finishes at the annual event... Sophomore
Steve Bralver and freshman Dan
Molnar each hit two home runs during the tournament to
lead all individuals... Shortstop Brandon Custer
finished second in the tournament with a .476 batting average,
adding three runs and three RBIs... Senior Jason
Glushon finished the Association Championship with a 2-0
record, and did not give up an earned run in his two starts,
allowing ten hits, one walk and striking out a tournament-best 15
batters in 16 innings pitched... Glushon has recorded a 0.19 walks
per nine innings ratio during the 2007 season, and is on pace to
best the NCAA all-Division record of 0.21 walks per nine innings.
NO. 19 EMORY BASEBALL WINS UNIVERSITY
ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION CHAMPIONSHIP
(Mar. 17) Emory University, the 19th-ranked team in the nation,
defeated Washington University (Mo.) on Saturday to take home the
University Athletic Association (UAA) Championship for the
second-consecutive year. The win brings Emory to 4-2 in
association play and to 15-3 during its 2007 campaign. The
victory over Washington, combined with losses on Saturday from
Brandeis University (Mass.) and Rochester University (N.Y.), makes
the Eagles the outright association champions.
The Eagles defeated Washington by a score of 5-1, behind a
complete-game victory from senior pitcher Jason
Glushon. After allowing an unearned run on two hits
in the first inning, Glushon allowed just two more hits the rest of
the game, including recording 14-straight outs to end the
game. Glushon struck out eight and walked one, the only free
pass he has issued in his last 54.2 innings pitched.
With the win, Glushon improved to 6-0 this season, winning each of
his six starts this season, and lowered his season ERA to 0.97.
Trailing by one after half an inning, the Eagles tied the game in
the bottom of the fifth, after a Zander Sotiriou
groundout scored Brandon Custer from third.
The game remained tied until the bottom of the eighth, when
freshman outfielder Dan Molnar led off the inning
with a single and stole second. With one out, third baseman
Frank Pfister singled in Molnar, the go-ahead
run. The Eagles added four more runs, including two on a
double by shortstop Brandon Custer.
Custer finished the tournament with a .476 average during the
course of the six association games, including three doubles.
Sophomore designated hitter Steve Bralver tied
with Molnar for the Association lead with two home runs during the
tournament, and led all hitters with eight runs batted in.
With the tournament victory, Emory takes home its eighth conference
title since the Eagles began UAA play in 1991, and its fourth
outright championship. The Eagles have won four of the past
five UAA tournaments, and have recorded nine-straight top-two
finishes at the annual event.
19th-RANKED EAGLES IMPROVE TO 3-2 AT
THE UAA TOURNAMENT
(Mar. 16) The 19th-ranked Emory University Baseball team picked up
a victory over Case Western Reserve University (Ohio), defeating
the Spartans by a score of 10-4. With the win, the Eagles
improve to 3-2 at the University Athletic Association Tournament,
and are tied for first-place with one game left to play.
Emory got off to a quick start in the game, scoring two runs in the
first inning off a solo home run by Steve Bralver
and an RBI single from Tim Cournoyer. The
Eagles scored four more in the second inning, including two more
from Tim Cournoyer on a double to right center.
Cournoyer finished the day two-for-three with three runs batted in,
and is now has five RBIs in his last two games.
Bralver and Dan Molnar each homered for the Eagles
for the second time in the tournament. The pair are the only
players in UAA competition with multiple home runs in conference
games. Bralver leads all players with eight RBIs and is third
in association play with a .471 batting average.
Sophomore Brian Cournoyer, brother of Tim, made
the first start of his Emory career, pitching four innings and not
allowing a run, en route to his first victory of the season.
Brian and Tim become the first pair of brothers to both start in
the same game for Emory.
Junior Scott Widyn closed the game for the Eagles,
striking out six batters in two innings. Emory pitching
combined for 11 strikeouts in the game.
The Eagles will conclude the UAA tournament tomorrow morning, when
they will face Washington University (Mo.) at 11:00 AM.
Should Emory win the game, the Eagles are assured of at least a
share of the UAA Championship. An Emory win, along with losses from
the University of Rochester (N.Y.) and Brandeis University (Mass.),
would allow the Eagles to win the association crown outright.
19th-RANKED EAGLES DROP HEARTBREAKER TO
ROCHESTER
(Mar. 15) The Emory University Baseball team battled back from a
five run deficit to pull within one run of the University of
Rochester (N.Y.), but could not best the Yellowjackets, losing
8-7. Emory falls into a three-way tie for second place in the
University Athletic Association (UAA) tournament with the
defeat.
Trailing 8-4 in the bottom of the eighth inning, Emory scored three
runs, including two on a home run by Tim
Cournoyer, his first of the season. Down by just a
run in the ninth, Brandon Custer picked up a
one-out, bases-empty double on a well-hit ball to centerfield, but
was thrown out trying to stretch the hit into a triple.
Zander Sotiriou followed Custer with a double of
his own, but was stranded at second without scoring.
Sotiriou finished the day with two doubles in two at bats, and
designated hitter Steve Bralver went two-for-three
with three runs batted in.
Freshmen pitchers Will Gumm and Adam
Genn combined for 5.1 innings of relief without allowing a
run and giving up five hits, allowing the Eagles to climb back into
the ballgame.
With the loss, Emory, the 19th-ranked team in Division III
baseball, falls to 13-3 and 2-2 in University Athletic Association
play. The Eagles will play again tomorrow, when Emory will
face off against Case Western Reserve University at 2:30 PM.
The Spartans will enter play tomorrow with a 1-2 record in UAA
competition.
19th-RANKED EAGLES STUN WASHINGTON WITH
6-4 WIN
(Mar. 14) Emory University, ranked 19th in the nation, scored three
runs in the top of the ninth inning to defeat Washington University
(Mo.) 6-4 at the University Athletic Association (UAA)
Championship. The win brings Emory's conference record to
2-1, and moves the Eagles to the top of the standings after two
days of tournament play.
Emory trailed 4-0 after the Bears scored four runs in the bottom of
the third inning, including a three-run home run from starting
pitcher Andy Shields. The Eagles answered back in the top of
the inning with two runs, and picked up another in the eighth, but
still trailed by one heading into the top of the ninth inning.
With one out, Emory catcher Matthew McDonough and
outfielder David Hissey drew consecutive walks,
followed by a single by freshman Tommy Dugan to
load the bases. With Steve Bralver at the
plate, Shields delivered a wild pitch, allowing McDonough to score
from third. When the Bears' catcher attempted to throw out
McDonough at the plate, the ball was thrown away and Hissey scored
the game-winning run. Emory added another run on a throwing
error before the end of the ninth.
Despite allowing the four runs during the third inning, Emory
starter Ian Ganzer gave up just one hit in his
next 4.2 innings of work. Ganzer finished the day with eight
strikeouts in seven innings, allowing just five hits during the
outing.
Closer Rich Babb pitched the final two innings of
the game, striking out four and picking up his fourth win of the
season in relief. Babb has not allowed a run to score against
him in 12.1 innings pitched this year.
Eagles' second baseman Joe Roth went two-for-three
in the game with two runs batted in, a sacrifice fly and a stolen
base. The junior is second on the team with 11 RBIs in
2007.
The win brings the Eagles to 13-2 on the 2007 campaign. Emory
will return to the field to play its fourth game of the UAA
Tournament on Thursday at 3:00 PM, when the Eagles will face
Rochester for the second time of the tournament, after winning the
first game 9-2. Play-by-play coverage of the game will be
available on Teamline.
NO. 19 EMORY SPLITS DOUBLEHEADER AT UAA
TOURNAMENT
(Mar. 13) Emory University, the 19th-ranked team in the nation,
split a doubleheader on the opening day of the University Athletic
Association (UAA) Tournament. The Eagles picked up a 9-2
victory over the University of Rochester (N.Y.), while losing a 9-2
game to Brandeis University (Mass.).
In the opening game of the tournament, starting pitcher
Jason Glushon threw seven shutout innings in the
victory over Rochester, lowering his season earned run average to
1.21. Glushon has won each of his five starts this season,
and extended his streak of innings without a walk to
45.2.
Sophomore Steve Bralver and freshman Dan
Molnar each homered in the win. Outfielder
Tommy Dugan, making only his fourth start as an
Eagle, went three-for-five with two runs batted in.
In the second game, shortstop Brandon Custer went
two-for-four in the loss, with a run scored and an RBI.
Senior Bo Schill picked up a pinch-hit RBI double
to centerfield.
With the split, Emory's record moves to 12-2 during the 2007
campaign. The Eagles will continue play in the conference
tournament on Wednesday evening, when the team will face off
against the 2006 UAA runner-up, Washington University (Mo.).
Play-by-play coverage of the game, and all other Emory games during
the tournament, will be available on Teamline.
19th-RANKED EAGLES TO BEGIN THE UAA
TOURNAMENT
(Mar. 12) Conference play will begin on Tuesday for the Emory
University Baseball team, as the 19th-ranked Eagles will travel to
Sanford, FL to compete in the University Athletic Association (UAA)
Tournament.
Emory enters the tournament as the defending conference champions
after going 6-0 during the tournament last season. The 2006
Championship win was the seventh since the Eagles began competing
in the UAA tournament in 1992, and the third title for Emory in the
past four seasons. The Eagles led all teams in 2006 with a
.377 batting average, 16 doubles and seven home runs.
Junior outfielder David Hissey will lead the
Eagles into conference play, after taking home the title of UAA
Player of the Year during his first season with the Eagles last
year. Hissey hit .619 during the Eagles' six tournament
games, batting in six runs and scoring three of his own while
stealing five bases.
Senior starting pitcher Ian Ganzer will return
after garnering All-UAA first team honors in 2006. Ganzer is
2-0 with a 2.04 earned run average and 20 strikeouts in 17.2
innings pitched in conference play.
Other Eagles who earned all-UAA honors last season include junior
third baseman Frank Pfister, who was named to the
first-team, and senior starter Jason Glushon, who
was named to the second team.
The Eagles will be one of five conference teams competing,
including Brandeis University (Mass.), Case Western Reserve
University (Ohio), the University of Rochester (N.Y.) and
Washington University (MO). Emory enters the tournament with
a record of 11-1 in 2007. The Eagles will be playing six
games, including a double-header on Tuesday to open the tournament
against Rochester at 11:00 AM, and Brandeis at 2:30 PM.
Coverage of all Emory games will be provided on teamline, and box
scores and game recaps will be provided on go.emory.edu at the end
of each day. More information on the UAA Tournament is
available on the conference website, at www.uaa.rochester.edu.
19th-RANKED EMORY BASEBALL PICKS UP
FOURTH-STRAIGHT WIN
(Mar. 11) The Emory University Baseball team, ranked 19th in
Division III baseball, picked up its 11th win of the season,
defeating Franklin and Marshall College (Pa.) 11-1. The
Eagles picked up season highs as a team in both runs and hits
(15).
Eagles' third baseman Frank Pfister went
four-for-five in the game, with a double and four runs scored, and
four runs batted in. In two games this weekend, Pfister went
seven-for-nine with five runs scored. The junior now leads
the team with a .440 batting average, 13 runs scored and 11 runs
batted in this season.
Second baseman Joe Roth hit his third career home
run in the first inning, a two-run shot over the left field
wall. Roth finished the day two-for-three with three runs
scored, two RBI and two walks.
Six Emory pitchers combined to hold the Diplomats to six hits
over nine innings. Senior Anthony Vidal
picked up the win, pitching the first five innings of the
game. The Eagles' bullpen then shut down the opposition,
giving up one hit in the game's final four innings.
The win raises the Eagles' record to 11-1 this season and is
Emory's fourth-consecutive victory. The game also concludes a
four-game home stand for the Eagles, and will usher in the
University Athletic Association Tournament, which will begin on
Tuesday, March 13th. The Eagles will enter the tournament as
the defending conference champion.
NO. 19 EMORY CLAIMS 1-0 VICTORY OVER
CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT
(Mar. 10) The 19th-ranked Emory University Baseball team edged
Christopher Newport University (Va.) on Sunday, defeating the
Captains 1-0 at Chappell Park. The win brings the Eagles'
record to 10-1, while Christopher Newport falls to 13-4 during the
2007 campaign.
The game remained scoreless through the first seven and a half
innings of play, before Frank Pfister picked up a
one out single, later stealing second and third base. A pinch
hit RBI groundout from Bo Schill scored Pfister
from third, and gave Emory their third-straight win.
Pfister finished the day three-for-four with two singles and a
double. His only out of the ballgame was a deep fly ball to
the warning track in left field. The junior third baseman
leads the Eagles in with nine runs scored and a .400 batting
average this year.
Senior starter Ian Ganzer threw seven scoreless
innings for Emory, allowing just four hits and striking out five
batters. Closer Rich Babb picked up his
third win in relief this season, throwing two perfect innings in
the outing. Babb is yet to allow a run in 10.1 innings
pitched out of the bullpen this year.
The 10-1 start is the second in as many years for the Eagles.
Emory will be back in action tomorrow, to host Franklin and
Marshall College (Pa.), the Eagles final game before the UAA
Tournament.
19th-RANKED EMORY BASEBALL TOPS
BRIDGEWATER 6-1
(Mar. 7) The Emory University Baseball Team improved to 9-1 during
the 2007 campaign, defeating Bridgewater College (Va.) 6-1 at
Chappell Park. With the loss, Bridgewater falls to 2-7 this
season.
Emory starting pitcher Jason Glushon improved to
4-0 this season, winning each of his first four starts of the
year. Glushon allowed a run on five hits during his five
innings pitched, and did not issue a walk. In his 30.1
innings pitched this year, the senior starter is yet to issue a
base on balls.
Senior pitchers Ian Ganzer and Rich
Babb pitched two innings each, combining to strike out
seven batters and just three hits, while not allowing a run.
"When you get pitching like this, you're going to win every day,"
said Emory head coach Mike Twardoski.
Freshman Dan Molnar continued to hit well, picking
up two doubles and scoring two runs during the game. Molnar,
who has three extra base hits in the last two games, went
two-for-four, raising his batting average to .333 this season.
"We did not swing as well at the plate as we would have like to,"
said Emory head coach Mike Twardowski. "But we were battling,
which was good. But, it's very solid defense that continues
to be our cornerstone."
The Eagles committed just one error in the game, marking the sixth
time in ten games this year that Emory has had one or less in a
game. With the win, Emory, ranked 19th in the nation,
improves to 8-0 at Chappell Park this season. The Eagles will
be back at Chappell on Saturday, when Emory will host Christopher
Newport University (Va.) at 11:00 AM.
EMORY BOUNCES BACK WITH 6-2 WIN
(Mar. 6) The 19th-ranked Emory University baseball team came
back strong after its first loss of the season, defeating
local-rival Oglethorpe University (Ga.) 6-2. It marks the
eighth-consecutive meeting between the two teams that the Eagles
have won.
Senior Anthony Vidal picked up his first win of
the season for Emory, allowing two runs on seven hits in six
innings of work. Freshman Adam Genn came out
of the bullpen to pitch the final three innings, picking up the
first save of his collegiate career. Genn has not allowed a
run in his first 9.1 innings pitched as an Eagle.
With the score tied 1-1, Emory began to pull away in the bottom of
the fifth inning. The Eagles scored a run after freshman
Dan Molnar picked up and RBI single, and a second
after David Hissey reached the plate on an RBI
fielder's choice by Frank Pfister. Pfister
leads the team with six RBIs this season.
Hissey extended his hitting streak to five games, by going
two-for-three with two runs scored and a walk. The junior
leftfielder is hitting .400 this season with six runs scored.
Freshman catcher Matthew McDonough added some
insurance for the Eagles, picking up his first collegiate RBI in
the seventh inning on a base hit to right field. McDonough
finished the day two-for-four with a run and an RBI.
Defensively, the day was highlighted by back-to-back spectacular
plays by the Eagles' shortstop Brandon Custer in
the second inning. With a man on first and one out, Custer
made a diving stop on a well-hit ball in the hole between short and
third, and getting up in time to throw the runner out. On the
very next play, Custer backhanded a ground ball to a similar spot,
making an off-balance throw to first in time to retire the
side.
Emory improves to 8-1 this season with the win, while the loss
drops Oglethorpe to 4-8. The Eagles will be back in action
tomorrow, when they will take on Bridgewater College (Va.) at
Chappell Park. The first pitch is set to be thrown at 3:00
PM.
19th-RANKED EAGLES TO START FOUR-GAME
HOME STAND
(Mar. 5) The Emory University Baseball Team will begin a four-game
stand at Chappell Park this week, leading up to the University
Athletic Association Championship the following week. Emory
will host Oglethorpe University (Ga.) on Tuesday, Bridgewater
College (Va.) on Wednesday, Christopher Newport University (Va.) on
Saturday and Franklin and Marshall College (Pa.) on Sunday.
THE MATCHUPS
Emory defeated Oglethorpe three times last season, one of which
came at Chappell Park. During the three games, Emory
outscored the Stormy Petrels 18-1. Emory has won seven
straight games against Oglethorpe, dating back to the 2004
season. Emory third baseman Frank Pfister
led Emory against the Stormy Petrels last season, combining to go
5-11 over the course of the three games, with three runs scored,
three runs batted in, three stolen bases and a home run.
Emory stands at 10-4 all-time against Bridgewater College,
including eight-consecutive victories against the Eagles. The
two teams last met in 2002, when Emory came away with a 4-3 victory
over Bridgewater.
This will be the first time the Eagles will face off against the
Christopher Newport University Captains, and the Franklin and
Marshall College Diplomats.
THE RECORDS
Emory will begin the week with a 7-1 record after spitting a
weekend series with the 13th-ranked Millsaps College Majors.
This year marks the fifth time in school history that the Eagles
have opened a season with a record of 7-1 or better. Emory is
currently the 19th-ranked team in the nation.
Oglethorpe enters its game with Emory on a seven-game losing
streak, and holds a 4-7 record overall during the 2007
campaign.
Bridgewater will begin the week with a 1-5 record. They will
play two games against LaGrange College (Ga.) before coming to
Chappell Park.
Christopher Newport University has begun its 2007 season with a
10-3 record and has won four of its last five games. The
Captains will play three additional games this week before facing
Emory on Saturday.
Franklin and Marshall College has gone 1-2 to start its 2007
campaign. The Diplomats finished the 2006 season with a 29-11
record.
THE COACHES
Emory Head Coach Mike Twardoski is in his eighth
season at the Eagles' helm. Under Twardoski, Emory is 233-90
overall, and 35-9 in conference play. Twardoski has led the
Eagles to four conference titles, five NCAA Tournament appearances,
three NCAA regional championships, and two top-ten national
finishes. He is assisted by pitching coach Ethan
Solomon, along with Mike Clark and
Clyde ‘Doc' Partin.
Oglethorpe is coached by Dan Giordano, who is beginning his
third-full season at the Stormy Petrels' helm. Giordano
graduated from Oglethorpe in 2002, and is assisted by Justin Bach,
Scott Casey and David Wolensky.
Bridgewater is led by Curt Kendall, who is starting his 21st season
with the Eagles. Kendall is the winningest coach in
Bridgewater history, holding a 449-280-6 with the team. He is
assisted by Ben Spotts and Ray Heatwole.
Christopher Newport's John Harvell has spent six seasons as the
Captain's head coach, holding a 167-88 record to begin the 2007
season. He is assisted by Ron Frazier and Andy Wissinger.
Franklin and Marshall is coached by Bill Walkenbach, who is in his
second year as the coach of the Diplomats. Walkenbach is
familiar with the Emory program, having served as the assistant
coach for the Eagles in 2002 and 2003. He is assisted by Matt
Scheuing and Jordan Wyckoff.
EMORY NOTES
In last Saturday's game against Millsaps, Emory recorded a
season-best 12 hits in the game, and did not commit an error for
the second time this season... Emory pitchers are allowing just
0.88 walks per game and have recorded a 2.75 earned run average
through the first eight games of the season... First baseman
Bo Schill has recorded five RBI through eight
games this season, equaling his total from last season... Schill
leads the team with five extra-base hits this season, including
four doubles and a triple... Jason Glushon has
made three starts this season, going at least eight innings in each
one... Glushon has not walked a batter in 25.1 innings this season,
and holds the Emory career record for fewest walks per nine innings
with a 1.07 ratio... The four-game home stand will be Emory's final
games before the 2007 University Athletic Association tournament,
which will take place in Sanford, FL from March 13th-17th.
NO. 19 EMORY SUFFERS FIRST LOSS OF
2007
(Mar. 4) The 19th-ranked Emory University baseball team suffered
its first loss of the 2007 season, falling 12-2 to the 13th-ranked
Millsaps Majors (Miss.). Emory drops to 7-1 this season,
while Millsaps improves to 9-3.
Emory fell behind early, trailing 3-0 after a Hunter Owen home run
in the first inning. Millsaps continued to add on runs,
taking a 12-0 lead before Emory scored its two runs in the top of
the eighth inning.
Eagles' freshman catcher Nick Wills picked up a
pinch-hit RBI single in his first collegiate at bat in the top of
the eighth inning. Another freshman, Jake
Ornstein, picked up his first career RBI on a groundout in
the eighth.
Emory University will head into its final week of competition
before the University Athletic Association Tournament, playing four
games at Chappell Park this week. The Eagles will open the
four-game home stand against Oglethorpe University (Ga.) on
Tuesday, March 6th at 3:00 PM.
19th-RANKED EMORY BASEBALL DEFEATS NO.
13 MILLSAPS
(Mar. 3) In a battle of two ranked-Division III teams, the
19th-ranked Emory University Eagles defeated the 13th-ranked
Millsaps College Majors (Miss.) by a score of 5-1 in Jackson,
MS.
Emory starting pitcher Jason Glushon paved the way
for the Eagles' victory, pitching eight innings and allowing just
one run on four hits against the fourth-highest scoring offense in
Division III baseball last season. With the win, Glushon
improves to 3-0 on the season with a 1.42 ERA. The senior has
pitched at least eight innings in each of his first three starts
this year.
The Eagles fell behind in the bottom of the fourth inning, after a
balk was called against Glushon, allowing a runner to advance to
third base, who then scored on a ground out. Millsaps held
the lead through the next two innings.
Emory got the run back in the top of the seventh inning though,
when Brandon Custer hit a leadoff double.
After advancing to third on an error by the pitcher on a pickoff
attempt to second base, Custer was plated by Bo
Schill on a groundout to second base to tie the ballgame
at a run a piece. It was Schill's fifth RBI of the season,
matching his total from last season just seven games into the
year.
The Eagles struck again in the eighth inning. Zander
Sotitiou lead the inning off with an infield single, then
advanced to third after the base was left uncovered by Millsaps on
an infield hit by David Hissey. In the next
at bat, Sotiriou scored on a single to shallow right field by
Steve Bralver, giving Emory a 2-1 lead. The
Eagles scored three more runs in the inning, including one on a
Joe Roth single, giving the Eagles' second baseman
his fifth RBI of the year. Emory left the eighth inning with
a 5-1 lead.
Glushon pitched the remainder of the eighth inning, before giving
way to Rich Babb in the ninth, who closed the game
out in a non-save situation.
Emory totaled a season-high 12 hits during the game, and did not
commit an error for the second time this year.
The win comes in Emory's first game away from Chappell Park this
season, as the Eagles improve to 7-0 during their 2007 campaign,
while Millsaps falls to 8-3 this season. The two teams will
meet again tomorrow afternoon, starting at 12:00 PM (Central
Time). Millsaps will be broadcasting the game on ESPN Radio
1240, and can be heard on line by going to http://www.espnradio1240.com/.
NO. 19 EAGLES WIN FOURTH-STRAIGHT ON
FINAL AT BAT
(Feb. 28) The Emory University baseball team improved to 6-0 this
season, defeating Adrian College (Mich.) 4-3 at Chappell
Park. Emory won its fourth-consecutive game on its final at
bat, as Zander Sotiriou hit a one-out walk-off
single in the bottom of the ninth to allow Jake
Ornstein to score from second base.
Ornstein scored the game-winning run for the second straight game
for the Eagles. On Sunday against York College (Pa.),
Ornstein scored the game-winning run as well, advancing from third
base to score on a wild pitch.
Freshman starting pitcher Adam Genn did not allow
a run during his first-career start, giving up four hits and
striking out six batters in five innings pitched. He left the
game in the fifth inning with a three-run lead.
Adrian stormed back though, scoring three unearned runs in the top
of the eighth inning. The game remained tied heading into the
bottom of the ninth, when Brandon Custer singled
to start the inning. After Matthew McDonough
reached on a fielder's choice (erasing Custer from the basepaths),
and advanced to second on a balk, Ornstein came in to pitch
run. Sotiriou then came to bat, and singled in Ornstein, his
second RBI of the day.
After the game, however, Head Coach Mike Twardoski was not happy
with his team's performance.
"This is the first time this year when we didn't come to play,"
said Twardoski. "We didn't do anything right to
prepare. It's never a good thing to win these types of
games."
Rich Babb picked up his second win of the season out of
the bullpen, improving to 2-0 this season with two saves.
Sotiriou and Dan Molnar each finished the game
2-for-4 with two RBIs.
Emory, ranked 19th in the nation, has opened its season 6-0 for
only the third time in school history. The Eagles will be
back in action tomorrow, travelling to LaGrange College (Ga.) for
their first road game of the 2007 season.
#19 EMORY BASEBALL TO PLAY ITS FIRST
ROAD GAMES OF 2007
(Feb. 26) After finishing up its opening home stand against Adrian
College (Mich.) at Chappell Park on Wednesday, the Eagles will hit
the road, playing at LaGrange College (Ga.) on Thursday, and a
two-game series at Millsaps College (Miss.) on Saturday and
Sunday.
THE MATCHUPS
Emory defeated Adrian College 5-1 last season, with
starting pitcher Jason Glushon getting the win
while allowing one run on six hits over eight innings. In
2005, Emory defeated the Bulldogs 4-3 in 10 innings.
The Eagles defeated LaGrange twice at Chappell Park last season,
6-2 on March 9th and 3-2on April 1st. Glushon was the winning
pitcher in both games, allowing just two earned runs on 14 hits and
striking out seven over 12 innings pitched against the Panthers.
Over the course of his career, Glushon 3-0 against the
Panthers with a save, and has allowed just two earned runs in 21.2
innings pitched. A third game scheduled to take place in
LaGrange was rained out. Emory has won six of the last seven
games they have played against LaGrange.
Emory dropped both games they played against Millsaps College last
season, including a 6-5, 10 inning thriller.
THE RECORDS
Emory University ranked 19th in the nation, enters the
week with a 5-0 record, after a 3-0 performance to win the Rawlings
Southern Classic for the second-straight year. The 5-0 start
is the third for the Eagles in the past four seasons, and the fifth
in school history. Emory has come from behind in four of its
five wins, and has won on its final at bat in each of the last
three games.
Adrian College will begin its 2007 campaign this weekend, competing
at a number of schools in the Atlanta area besides Emory, including
Piedmont College (Ga.) and Oglethorpe University (Ga.). The
Bulldogs finished the 2006 season with a 26-17 record, and advanced
to the NCAA Regionals for the second-consecutive season.
LaGrange College begins the week with a 5-5 record, after finishing
the 2006 season at 26-16.
Millsaps College has opened there season with a 7-2 record.
The Majors recorded a 37-13 record in 2006, and advanced to the
NCAA Central Regional finals.
THE COACHES
Emory Head Coach Mike Twardoski is in his eighth season at
the Eagles' helm. Under Twardoski, Emory is 231-89 overall,
and 35-9 in conference play. Twardoski has led the Eagles to
four conference titles, five NCAA Tournament appearances, three
NCAA regional championships, and two top-ten national
finishes. He is assisted by pitching coach Ethan
Solomon, along with Mike Clark and
Clyde ‘Doc' Partin.
The Adrian College Bulldogs are coached by Craig Rainey, who
is beginning his 13th season with the team. He holds a
265-258 record during his time at Adrian, and is assisted by
pitching coach Gordie Theisen and assistant coaches Luke Harrigan
and Tony Vennekotter.
LaGrange head coach Kevin Howard served as the head coach at Emory
for six seasons prior to coaching the Panthers. Howard led
Emory to three-straight NCAA tournament berths. He holds a
209-122 record at LaGrange, and is assisted by Ryan Grice and John
Rhodarmer.
Millsaps is coached by Jim Page, who holds a 435-267-2 career
record, and has led the school to five trips to the NCAA Division
III National Championships and eight conference titles in 18
seasons. Page is assisted by Cody McCain and Doug
Fortenberry.
EMORY NOTES
Emory outfielder Steve Bralver was named
the University Athletic Association Athlete of the Week for
Baseball... Bralver hit .545 with a home run, five runs scored and
three runs batted in during the Rawlings Southern Classic last
weekend... He becomes the third Emory player to be named a
conference Athlete of the Week in the first two weeks of the
season... First baseman Bo Schill hit .417 during
the Rawlings Southern Classic, including three doubles, a triple
and four RBIs... Joe Roth finished the tournament
with four RBIs, including game-winners in two of Emory's three
wins... Jason Glushon's 1.11 walks per nine
innings is the best ratio in school history... His 2.31 ERA over
his career is the third lowest in Emory history... Ian
Ganzer's 8.96 strikeouts per nine innings are the
fifth-best career total in school history.
EMORY UNIVERSITY WINS RAWLINGS SOUTHERN
CLASSIC
(Feb. 25) The Emory University Baseball team, ranked 19th in the
nation, won an extra-inning thriller over York College (Pa.), 7-6
on Sunday. With the win, Emory won its second-straight
Rawlings Southern Classic, finishing 3-0 in the tournament.
The Eagles scored the winning run after Bo Schill
opened the bottom of the tenth inning with a double.
Jake Ornstein came in to run for Schill, and
advanced to third on a textbook sacrifice bunt from Matthew
McDonough. With the next batter at the plate, the
York pitcher delivered a fastball outside of the strike-zone, which
got away from the catcher and allowed Ornstein to score the
game-winning run.
Schill was the catalyst for the Eagles earlier in the game as
well. With Emory trailing by two runs with two outs in the
bottom of the eighth inning and a runner on first, Schill picked up
an RBI triple and scored the tying run on the next at bat, an RBI
double from Andrew Carroll in his first Emory
plate appearance.
"Bo Schill was our MVP," said Emory outfielder Steve
Bralver. "He showed us he can go out there and get
the job done."
In the past two games, Schill has four extra base hits (three
doubles and a triple) and four RBIs.
"It's early in the season, but we're showing already that we know
how to win ballgames," said Emory coach Mike Twardoski.
"That, combined with our senior leadership, is allowing us to be
successful early on this year."
Bralver continued his tear for the Eagles, giving Emory their first
lead of the game with a two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth
inning. The ball was deposited directly over the 370 foot
marker in left-centerfield.
"I spent extra time in the batting cages yesterday trying to
correct some things I noticed in my stance," said Bralver.
"When I stepped up to the plate, I was looking for his changeup,
and when I got it, everything just clicked."
The sophomore finishes the tournament with five runs scored, three
RBIs and a .545 average in the three tournament games.
Rich Babb pitched two innings in relief for his first win
of the season, helping Emory to their third-straight victory in the
team's final at bat, and its fourth come from behind win of the
year. With the win, Emory improves to 5-0 this year.
The Eagles will continue play this week, welcoming Adrian College
(Mich.) to Chappell Park on Wednesday, before traveling to LaGrange
College (Ga.) on Thursday.
19th-RANKED EMORY BASEBALL COMES FROM
BEHIND TO DEFEAT YORK
(Feb. 24) The 19th-Ranked Emory University Baseball team scored
four runs in the top of the ninth inning, including two off a
Frank Pfister single, to come from behind to beat
York College (Pa.), 6-5. The win improves the Eagles to 4-0
during the 2007 campaign, and 2-0 in the Rawlings Southern
Classic.
Emory, who was the visiting team for the game despite playing at
Chappell Park, fell behind early, trailing 5-0 after five
innings. The Eagles answered back in the top of the sixth
though, getting two runs from a Bo Schill double
to close the score to 5-2.
The Eagles then turned the game over to freshman pitcher
Will Gumm, who shined in his first collegiate
appearance. Gumm did not allow a run over three innings
pitched, scattering three hits and a walk, and striking out a
batter. The freshman also escaped a one-out situation with
two runners in scoring position in the sixth inning, without
allowing a run.
Emory capitalized on Gumm's pitching in the top of the ninth
inning. Entering the inning trailing by three runs,
Steve Bralver picked up his second RBI of the day
on a one out base hit, putting runners on first and third.
After Jake Ornstein entered the game for Bralver
as a pinch runner and stole second base, Pfister picked up a
game-tying two RBI single.
During the next at bat, Pfister created a run for the Eagles,
stealing second, taking third on a wild pitch, and then scoring on
a single by Joe Roth, his second game-winning RBI
in as many games.
"Before today's game, we've been winning on our pitching," said
Pfister. "It's huge to know that out offense can come out and
show that we have enough character to come from behind and get a
big win."
Bralver finished the game 3-for-5 with a run scored and an RBI, and
Pfister's two RBIs give him the team lead this season with
five. The junior has knocked in a run in each of the Eagles
first four games.
Three of Emory's four victories this year have been
come-from-behind wins, and the Eagles have won on their final at
bat in the last two games. The first three games at the
Rawlings Southern Classic have each been decided on the winning
team's final at bat.
The Eagles will be back in action at the Rawlings Southern Classic
tomorrow, concluding the tournament by playing a double-header
beginning at 10:00 AM.
GLUSHON GUIDES NO. 19 EAGLES TO 4-2 VICTORY
(Feb. 22) Emory University starting pitcher Jason Glushon threw his first-career complete game, picking up the win in a 4-2 victory over Virginia Wesleyan College. The complete-game marks the second in as many games for the Eagles, whose win comes in their opening game of the Rawlings Southern Classic.
"I tried to make them hit the ball and let the fielders do their job," said Glushon. "That is the goal of the entire pitching staff this season."
Glushon pitched nine innings, striking out 10 batters and allowing two runs on eight hits. The senior did not walk a batter for his second-straight outing, and gave up just one hit after the fifth inning.
"Virginia Wesleyan is a NCAA Regional team, and by playing them well today, it really showed me something, said Emory head coach Mike Twardoski. "We beat a very good team today."
After falling behind early on a solo home run by Mike Marion in the second inning, Steve Bralver scored Emory's first run of the day on an RBI single from Frank Pfister in the fourth inning. The Eagles were behind again at the beginning of sixth inning, but Bralver struck again, reaching on an infield single, advancing on a wild pitch and then tying the game up on a Joe Roth base hit.
With the game tied in the bottom of the eighth inning, Bralver scored his third and final run of the day, the eventual game-winner, on a Roth sacrifice fly. Emory tacked on one more run in the inning, as Pfister scored on a Tim Cournoyer double.
Bralver finished the day 2-for-2 with three runs scored, and Joe Roth went one-for-two with two RBIs.
With the win, Emory, ranked 19th in the nation, improves to 3-0 on the season. Virginia Wesleyan, who had previously beaten three top-30 teams in the nation, drops to 4-1 this year.
After not having pitched a complete game since the 2005 season, the Eagles have now had two in as many games. The owner of Emory's first complete game of the year, Ian Ganzer, will get the start tomorrow, as the Eagles take on York College (Pa.) for their second game in the Rawlings Southern Classic, starting at 10:00 AM at Chappell Park.
NO. 19 EAGLES TO HOST 2007 RAWLINGS SOUTHERN CLASSIC
(Feb. 22) The Emory University Eagles will welcome York College (Pa.) and Viginia Wesleyan College to Chappell Park this weekend, as the Eagles will host the annual Rawlings Southern Classic. Each team will play the other two twice during the tournament, which begins Friday, February 23rd, and ends on Sunday, February 25th.
THE MATCHUPS
Last season, Emory defeated York College, a regular participant in
the Rawlings Southern Classic, 7-2. Eagles' starting pitcher
Jason Glushon allowed one run on five hits and
struck out eight batters over eight innings, and head Coach
Mike Twardoski picked up his 200th-career win
during the game.
Emory and Virginia Wesleyan last faced each other at the 2005 Rawlings Southern Classic, where the teams split a pair of games. Emory came away from the first game with a 5-3 victory, but dropped the second one to Virginia Wesleyan, 7-2.
THE RECORDS
The Eagles, ranked 19th in the nation, will enter the game
with a 2-0 record this season, after winning both games of their
opening series against Methodist College (N.C.) last weekend.
Virginia Wesleyan has opened their 2007 campaign 3-0, defeating
three top-30 teams (the seventh, 26th and 27th ranked teams).
York College will be playing their first games of the 2007 season,
after finishing 2006 with a 25-16-1 record.
THE COACHES
Emory Head Coach Mike Twardoski is in his eighth season at the
Eagles' helm. Under Twardoski, Emory is 228-89 overall, and
35-9 in conference play. Twardoski has led the Eagles to four
conference titles, five NCAA Tournament appearances, three NCAA
regional championships, and two top-ten national finishes. He
is assisted by pitching coach Ethan Solomon, along
with Mike Clark and Clyde
‘Doc' Partin.
The Virginia Wesleyan Marlins are coached by Nick Booth, who holds
a 462-310-5 record during his 21 seasons with the school. He
is assisted by Chris Francis, Mike Loyd, Brandon Elliot and Jeff
Eure.
The head coach of the York College Spartans, Paul Saikia, is
beginning his 19th year at the team's helm. He holds a career
record of 395-275-3. Saikia is assisted by Mike Scappa, Matt
Day and Elwood Fake.
EMORY NOTES
The 2007 season marks the eighth time in 17 years that Emory has
opened the campaign with a 2-0 record... The Eagles have improved
to 3-0 after each of the previous seven 2-0 starts... Jason
Glushon and Ian Ganzer were named
University Athletic Association co-athletes of the week for
baseball last week... Glushon allowed one earned run over eight
innings, and Ganzer did not allow an earned run during a complete
game, each getting a victory against Methodist... Catcher
Matthew McDonough and outfielder Dan
Molnar became the first freshman to start opening day for
Emory since Taylor Gettinger (class of 2006)
started as the designated hitter on February 15, 2003.
GLUSHON AND GANZER NAMED CO-BASEBALL ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
(Feb. 20) Jason Glushon and Ian Ganzer were named the first University Athletic Association Athlete of the Week honorees for baseball during the 2007 season. It marks the fourth time during his career that Glushon has received the honor, and the second time for Ganzer.
Glushon and Ganzer combined to allow one earned run in 17 innings pitched, guiding Emory to two wins against Methodist College (N.C.) in the team's opening weekend. Ganzer did not allow an earned run, while picking up a complete-game victory on Sunday. He allowed just five hits and struck out eight in the 3-2 Emory win. The day before, Glushon allowed one earned run on five hits over eight innings, helping the team to a 3-2 victory as well.
The pair of senior starters led the 19th-ranked Emory Eagles to their eighth 2-0 start in the past 17 seasons. Emory will be back in action this weekend, as the Eagles will host the Rawlings Tournament.
GANZER PICKS UP A COMPLETE GAME IN 3-2 EMORY WIN
(Feb. 18) Emory University's Ian Ganzer picked up a complete-game victory in his first start of the 2007 season, leading the Eagles to a 3-2 victory over Methodist College (N.C.).
Ganzer allowed just five hits over nine innings, striking out eight Monarch batters and did not issue a walk during the game. Both of the runs allowed by the senior pitcher were unearned. His nine-inning complete game is the first by an Eagle since April 13, 2005, when Ganzer recorded one against the University of the South (Tenn.).
The Eagles concluded a weekend of dominating pitching by their starters. Ganzer, along with Saturday's starter Jason Glushon, combined to give up one earned run and strike out 13 batters in 17 innings pitched.
"It's good to come out and get these two wins," said Ganzer. "We are all looking forward to more success as the season goes on."
Eagles' shortstop Brandon Custer was the offensive hero for Emory. With the score tied 2-2 in the bottom of the seventh inning, Custer hit a line drive over the left field wall to score the game-winning run. The homerun was the first of Custer's career.
David Hissey and Frank Pfister continued their offensive success as well. Hissey went 2-for-3 at the plate with an RBI, a run scored and his second double in as many games. Pfister went 2-for-4, including an RBI single in the third inning.
Emory, ranked 19th in the nation, has opened its season with two wins for the eighth time in 17 seasons. The Eagles will return to the field Friday, when they will be welcoming York College (Pa.) and Virginia Wesleyan College to Chappell Park for the Rawlings Tournament, lasting throughout next weekend.
19th-RANKED EAGLES WIN SEASON-OPENER AGAINST METHODIST
(Feb. 17) Emory University's Jason Glushon pitched eight strong innings, and Frank Pfister added three hits, one run batted in and a stolen base, as the Eagles won their season-opening game against Methodist College (N.C.) 3-2.
Despite falling behind early after Methodist scored an unearned run in the top of the first inning, the Eagles came back in the bottom of the inning with a David Hissey double and a RBI single by Pfister. Emory took the lead for the first time of the day in the second inning on a Zander Sotiriou RBI single, scoring Brandon Custer. After Methodist tied the game again, the Eagles regained the lead for good in the bottom of the third with a Pfister single and stolen base, and a Tim Cournoyer RBI single.
After giving up two early runs, Glushon locked down Methodist, retiring 14 straight batters at one point. The senior threw eight innings on the day, allowing one earned run on five hits and struck out five batters en route to the victory.
Closer Rich Babb pitched a perfect ninth inning for the Eagles to pick up the save.
Emory improved to 12-5 all-time in season-opening games, and has now won three-consecutive games against Methodist. The Eagles and the Monarchs will face off again at Chappell Park tomorrow, with the first pitch set to be thrown at 1:00 p.m.
19th-RANKED EAGLES TO OPEN BASEBALL SEASON SATURDAY
(Feb. 15) The Emory University Baseball Team will begin its 2007 campaign this weekend, as the Eagles will host Methodist College (N.C.) for a two-game series at Chappell Park. The first game will take place on Saturday, and the second will be played on Sunday. The first pitch is set to be thrown at 1:00 p.m. on both days.
THE MATCHUP
Emory will enter the game having won both of the meetings against
Methodist last season. During a doubleheader in Fayetteville,
NC in 2006, Emory came away with a 13-3 victory in the first game,
and a 14-11 win on the back end of the day. Prior to last
season, The Monarchs had won three-straight games against the
Eagles.
THE RECORDS
Emory will enter the game coming off a 31-9 record during the 2006
season, and are the defending University Athletic Association
champions. The Eagles are the 19th-ranked team in Division
III baseball, according to the latest American Baseball Coaches
Association poll. Methodist enters the game with a 4-0 record
to start the 2007 season. the Monarchs went 26-17 last
season, and were the champions of the USA South Conference.
THE COACHES
Emory Head Coach Mike Twardoski will enter his
eighth season at the Eagles' helm. Under Twardoski, Emory is
226-89 overall, and 35-9 in conference play. Twardoski has
led the Eagles to four conference titles, five NCAA Tournament
appearances, three NCAA regional championships, and two top-ten
national finishes. He is assisted by pitching coach
Ethan Solomon, along with Mike
Clark and Clyde ‘Doc'
Partin.
Methodist is coached by Tom Austin, who holds a 818-324-8 record during his 26 years with the Monarchs. He is assisted by pitching coach Kevin Allingham.
EMORY NOTES
The Eagles are 11-5 all time in season-opening games... Emory has
gone 8-2 in its last 10 season-opening games... Emory's 31 wins in
2006 was the seventh-highest win total in school history... The
Eagles have won at least 30 games in three of the past four
seasons... The team has completed 15-consecutive seasons with a
winning record... Emory's pitching staff finished last year with
the fourth-best strikeout to inning radio (8.5) and the
fifth-lowest earned run average (2.58) in Division III baseball...
Emory starting pitcher Jason Glushon finished the
2006 season 21st in Division III baseball with nine wins, and his
1.85 earned run average ranked him 33rd... Fellow starter
Ian Ganzer finished 2006 45th in the nation with
9.7 strikeouts per game and 67th in the nation with a 2.22 ERA...
Rich Babb's four saves were the 47th-best total in
Division III last year... Emory's David Hissey
will return for his second season with the Eagles, after being
named the UAA Player of the Year in 2006.
EMORY BASEBALL 2007 SEASON PREVIEW
(Jan. 26) It can be hard to imagine that a 2006 baseball season that included a conference championship, a 31-9 record and a 19-game win streak would leave any unfinished business for Emory University. However, after being unceremoniously swept from the NCAA Tournament after a 0-2 performance in the South Regional, the Eagles turn towards 2007 looking for more.
"With the team we had last year, it killed me to go two and out [in the NCAA Tournament], and I think it really hurt the team too," said Emory Head Coach Mike Twardoski. "But I'm excited for this season. I think we have the senior leadership to pull us through the year. These seniors have won a lot of games here so they know how to win, and that is going to be a big strength of ours this season."
A good portion of the senior leadership will anchor the Emory pitching staff, which finished the 2006 season fourth in the nation with 8.5 strikeouts per game, and fifth in the nation with a 2.58 earned run average. Returning players include senior starters Jason Glushon, whose 1.86 ERA was 33rd in the nation, and Ian Ganzer, who finished 45th in Division III baseball with 9.7 strikeouts per game. Solidifying the Eagles' bullpen will be senior Rich Babb, who enters the season with a 3.58 career ERA and concluded last year in the top-50 in saves.
"The top end of our pitching staff is very tough and game tested," said Twardoski.
Despite losing a number of key position players from last years' team, the Eagles will still return a solid core of players who are expected to be big contributors both offensively and defensively. Junior David Hissey, who claimed the title of University Athletic Association Player of the Year last season, will return to play centerfield for the Eagles. Hissey finished the year with a .391 batting average and 24 stolen bases. Junior Frank Pfister, who led the team in runs batted in during the 2006 season, will handle the duties at third base for Emory in 2007. Also returning to the Eagles' infield are junior second baseman Joe Roth, who hit .300 with 21 RBI in 2006, and senior first baseman Tim Cournoyer, whose four homeruns led the team last year.
"The great part about having good teams is that you have great players. The bad part is that you eventually lose great players," said Coach Twardoski. "That means that other people will have to step up this year."
Emory will look to see who will step up for them this season starting on February 17th, as Methodist College (N.C.) will travel to Chappell Park for a weekend doubleheader to open the 2007 season. The Eagles have three games scheduled against teams ranked in the preseason Division III top-30, according to www.baseballnews.com. Other highlights to the Emory schedule include the Rawlings Tournament, hosted by Emory from February 23rd-25th, and the University Athletic Association Tournament, from March 13th-17th in Sanford, Fla.