Emory University came back from an early 6-0 deficit to take a lead over Piedmont College, but the Eagles’ comeback attempt fell short in a 10-8 loss to the Lions on Saturday afternoon.

For the second-straight game the Eagles fell behind Piedmont early, as starter Paul Schwendel allowed three runs in each of the first and second innings.  However, Schwendel would settle down, getting inning-ending double plays in both the third and fourth frames to keep the Lions off the scoreboard for the next two innings.

The Eagles began their comeback in the third inning with sophomore Kevin O’Connor’s third home run of the season, scoring Gabe Shivers and Andrew DeYoung to make it a 6-3 game.  Emory would get two more in the fifth inning off RBI doubles for Jonathan Reilly and Andrew Cohn.

Piedmont would increase its lead to 7-5 heading into the top of the seventh inning.  But, after Emory loaded the bases with no outs, junior Ryan Jones picked up a bases-clearing double to put Emory on top for the first time in the game, 8-7.

However, Piedmont would answer back with three runs in the seventh inning, taking a 10-8 lead.  Jones would reach with a two out single in the bottom of the ninth, but he was left stranded on base to end both the inning and the game.

Senior Brian Cournoyer took the loss for Emory, falling to 2-3 on the season.

The Eagles fell below .500 (13-14) for the first time since March 4^th, when the team’s record was 5-6, while Piedmont improved to 15-12.  Emory will look to end its three-game losing streak on Tuesday, April 6^th at Maryville College.