The Emory University baseball team won its third-straight game on Sunday to improve to 5-5 on the season, defeating LaGrange College 8-5 in the Rawlings Southern Classic finale at Chappell Park.

The Eagles got off to an early start in the contest with two runs in the first inning, including one on a solo home run by second baseman Kevin O'Connor, the sophomore's first career blast as an Eagle. 

After LaGrange tied the contest with two runs in the top of the second inning, the Eagles answered with four more in the bottom of the frame, including an RBI single for freshman J.B. Smith and a two-RBI single for Jonathan Reilly.

Meanwhile, Emory starting pitcher Marc Terranova was able to shut down the Panthers' offense for the next three innings, finishing the game with two runs allowed on five hits and four strikeouts over five innings pitched.  Terranova would eventually earn the win, and now stands at 1-1 this season with a 3.48 ERA.

In the sixth inning, Paul Schwendel would give up three runs to the Panthers to pull the game back within a run, 6-5.  However, the Eagles would get two runs back in the bottom of the inning, and Schwendel would pitch lock down baseball the rest of the way, to earn the four-inning save.

Reilly would finish the game two-for-three with three RBIs and two stolen bases, raising his average to .351.  O'Connor would end the day three-for-four with two RBIs, raising his average to .364 in 2010.

The Eagles are now back at .500 for the first time since the start of the season, while LaGrange dropped below .500, to 5-6, with the loss.

Emory will return to action on Wednesday, facing in-region opponent Huntingdon College at 2:00 PM at Chappell Park.