Emory University freshman Ben Hinojosa allowed
just one earned run in seven innings, and junior second baseman
Kevin O’Connor drove in three runs, leading
the Eagles to an 11-3 win over Brandeis University in their opening
game of the University Athletic Association (UAA) Tournament.
Hinojosa needed just 72 pitches to get through his seven innings of
work, allowing six hits and two runs. The freshman struck out
three batters and issued just one walk in the game, lowering his
season ERA to a team best 2.42, and improving to 2-1 on the
campaign.
Emory took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on a
two-run opposite field double by junior shortstop Jonathan
Reilly that hit off the top of the wall in
right-centerfield, scoring Andrew Cohn and
Brandon Hannon. After Brandeis answered back
with two in the top of the second to tie the game, Emory reclaimed
the lead with a pair of runs in bottom of the third on a two-run
single for O’Connor. The Eagles added on another run in the
fourth on a Jared Welch sacrifice fly that scored
Patrick Riebsame, taking a 5-3 lead.
Meanwhile, Hinojosa settled into a groove on the mound, facing just
one batter over the minimum between the third and seventh
innings.
The Eagles broke the game open with a six-run sixth inning, keyed
by bases-loaded single for O’Connor that scored three
runs. The Judges picked up their third run of the game in the
eighth, but would not get any closer.
Emory’s defense aided the pitching staff with four double
plays turned during the game, three of which came during
Hinojosa’s time on the mound.
O’Connor finished the day two-for-four with three RBIs, and
now leads all Emory players with 13 runs batted in this
season. Cohn went one-for-two in the contest with two walks,
three runs, and two stolen bases. As a team, Emory matched a
season high with six stolen bases in the game, the second time in
the last three contests they have accomplished the feat.
For Brandeis, starting pitcher Mike Swerdloff took the loss with
nine runs allowed (four earned), falling to 1-1 on the
campaign. Shortstop Tony Deshler led the Judges with a
three-for-four performance and one RBI at the plate.
With the win, Emory improved to 9-6 on the season, while Brandeis
fell to 5-4 on the season with the loss. The Eagles will
return to action at the UAA Tournament in Sanford, FL, tomorrow,
facing the defending champion University of Rochester at 11:00 AM,
and last year’s runner up, Case Western Reserve University,
at 2:30 PM.