Despite a strong performance from its bullpen, the Emory University baseball team lost its fifth-consecutive game on Wednesday, as the Eagles dropped a 6-5 decision to Oglethorpe University at Chappell Park.

The Eagles were in another early hole in the contest, as Oglethorpe started the game with six-straight singles, scoring four runs.  The Petrels would add on another run in each of the second and third innings as well.

Sophomore Connor McGuiness would keep Emory in the ballgame, entering the contest with nobody out in the third inning, and pitching four innings of hitless baseball, walking just two and striking out two.  McGuiness lowered his season earned run average from 8.44 at the start of the game, to 6.14 at the end, with the performance.

Meanwhile, the Emory bats would begin to get the team back into the game.  Emory’s Patrick Riebsame scored a run on a bases-loaded double play in the second, and another in the third on a sacrifice fly for Kevin O’Connor.  In the fifth, the Eagles would make it a 6-4 game with an RBI single from Jay Page, and a run-scoring ground out for Gabe Shivers.

Both teams would be held off the board until the ninth inning, when, with two outs, O’Connor singled on a chopper over the first baseman’s head, and was driven in on an RBI double by Jonathan Reilly off the right field wall.  However, Riebsame would ground out to second to end the game.

Emory starter Chris Monaco took the loss for the Eagles, allowing six runs in two innings and falling to 1-2 on the season.  Oglethorpe’s Drew Brooks earned the win in relief, improving to 1-3, while Matthew Cornwell pitched the ninth to earn his second save of the year.

The Emory bullpen combination of McGuiness, Brian Cournoyer and Zeb Heidt combined to pitch seven scoreless innings in the game, giving up just five hits.

The Eagles dropped to 13-16 with the loss, while Oglethorpe improved to 17-14 with the win.  The Eagles will open up a seven-game road trip this weekend, starting with a 3:00 PM game on Friday at Guilford College.