2013 Emory Baseball Athletes of the Week

Emory University sophomore Graham Bloomsmith picked up two saves in a pair of relief outings during the Eagles’ final week of the 2013 season. Over his two appearances, Bloomsmith did not allow a run during 3.2 innings pitched, surrendering just one hit and two walks, while striking out three batters. Entering Monday’s game against LaGrange in the bottom of the eighth inning with a three-run lead, the right-handed pitcher held the Panthers without a hit over the final two innings, walking two and striking out one batter to earn the save in an 8-4 Emory win. On Friday, with Emory leading 4-2 and the bases loaded with one out in the top of the eighth inning, Bloomsmith struck out a batter and induced a ground out to first to end the threat, and pitched a scoreless ninth to pick up his second save of the week. He finished his sophomore campaign with a 2-2 record and a 1.30 ERA over 21 appearances out of the bullpen, and led all Eagles with six saves. Over his last 17.1 innings pitched, spanning 14 appearances, he had a 0.52 ERA and held opponents to just nine hits. Bloomsmith and the Eagles finished the season with a 22-17 overall record.

Emory University sophomore Wes Peacock hit .444 (eight-for-18) and drove in six runs over the final week of the Eagles’ 2013 season, both team-highs. During the Eagles’ 8-4 win over LaGrange on Monday, Peacock was two-for-five with a run scored and a key two-RBI single in the third inning. In the first game of a three-game series against Piedmont College, the centerfielder went three-for-five with an RBI single in the first inning, despite a 6-3 Emory loss. During a 4-2 win over Piedmont on Friday, he drove in two of the Eagles’ four runs with a bases-loaded single in the fifth inning, finishing the game two-for-four at the plate. The right-handed hitter wrapped up the week with a one-for-four, one RBI game against Piedmont in a 3-2 loss. Peacock finished the season as the Eagles’ leader with a .358 batting average and 57 hits, in addition to scoring 25 runs, driving in 21, and stealing 14 bases on 15 attempts. He helped Emory to a 22-17 record for the campaign.

Emory University freshman Paul Merolla picked up his fifth win of the season with eight strong innings of work on the mound during the Eagles’ 3-1 victory over Methodist University on Saturday. Merolla started the game and carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning of the contest. He finished the game with 106 pitches over eight innings, allowing just one run on three hits, walking three and striking out three. For the season, the right-handed pitcher is 5-1 with a 3.40 earned run average. Merolla’s efforts this season have helped Emory to an overall record of 20-15.

Emory University freshman first baseman Ben Vizvary led all Eagles with a .667 batting average, a .750 slugging percentage and a .692 on base percentage last week, starting three of the team’s four games. He was eight-for-12 during the week, including a double, and drove in a team-high five runs (four of which came with two outs). During Wednesday’s 9-2 win over Maryville College, Vizvary went three-for-three with two RBIs and a hit by pitch. The left-handed hitter guided the Eagles to a 3-1 win over Methodist University on Saturday, going two-for-four with a two-out, two RBI double in the bottom of the eighth inning that gave the team its first lead of the game. He capped off the week with a three-for-five game against Methodist in a 10-6 loss on Sunday, driving in one run in the contest. Vizvary is now batting .341 this season with seven runs batted in. With a 3-1 record during the week, the Eagles now stand at 20-15 in 2013.

Emory University sophomore Connor Dillman pitched six shutout innings during the Eagles’ 11-6 win at Berry College on Tuesday. Dillman allowed just three hits and two walks during his outing, while striking out a pair of batters, en route to earning the victory. The right-handed pitcher improved to 3-3 on the season with the win, while lowering his season ERA to a team-best 2.32. In addition, opponents are now batting just .223 against him this season, and he has recorded 50 strikeouts over 62 innings pitched, all team-best marks as well. Dillman and the Eagles went 2-1 during the week, and now stand at 17-14 for the year.

Emory University freshman second baseman Dylan Eisner led all Eagles in batting average, RBIs, slugging percentage and on base percentage during the team’s three games last week. Playing in three games, including a pair of starts, Eisner hit .571 (four-for-seven) with four RBIs. Against Berry College on Tuesday, Eisner helped the Eagles to an 11-6 win, going two-for-three with a run and three RBIs, including a key two RBI single in the second inning. The left-handed hitter also went two-for-three in the second game of a doubleheader against Georgia Gwinnett, helping the Eagles to a 4-1 win, driving in the first run of the game with a two-out single in the second inning. He also converted all three of his chances at second base during the week for a perfect fielding percentage. Eisner is now batting .306 this season with 11 runs batted in and eight runs scored. The Eagles improved to 17-14 in 2013 with the 2-1 record during the week.

Emory University sophomore Graham Bloomsmith delivered three hitless innings of relief work for the Eagles during two appearances last week. Bloomsmith pitched a perfect ninth inning against 20th-ranked Birmingham-Southern College on Wednesday, striking out one batter during a 12-1 Emory loss. On Sunday, during an 8-1 win at Hendrix College, the right-handed pitcher closed out the game with two scoreless innings, striking out one batter and walking one. Through a team-high 14 appearances this season, Bloomsmith leads all Emory pitchers with a 1.50 earned run average, and stands at 1-2 for the year with three saves. The Eagles, who went 2-2 during the week, now stand at 15-13 during the 2013 campaign.

Emory University junior Jared Kahn hit a team-best .556 during four games last week. Kahn, hitting leadoff for Emory in all four games, went five-for-nine, including a double and two triples, in addition to leading all Eagles with a 1.111 slugging percentage, a .692 on base percentage, and five stolen bases on as many attempts. On Wednesday against 20th-ranked Birmingham-Southern College, the shortstop reached base on a walk in his only plate appearance, stole second, and scored the Eagles’ only run of the game in a 12-1 loss. He also scored the only run of the game for Emory in a 2-1 loss to Hendrix College in the first game of a doubleheader, finishing one-for-one with a single, two stolen bases, a sacrifice bunt and was hit by two pitches. In the second game of the doubleheader, an 11-4 Emory win in seven innings, Kahn matched a school record with two triples, and added a double, three runs scored, three RBIs and a stolen base. He rounded out the week by helping Emory to an 8-1 win in the rubber game against the Warriors, going one-for-four with two runs scored and a stolen base. Kahn also converted 17 of 18 chances at shortstop during the week, good for a .944 fielding percentage. The junior has a 14-game hitting streak, and is batting .354 this season, while leading all Eagles with 30 runs scored, 19 stolen bases, a .469 slugging percentage and a .451 on base percentage. With the 2-2 week, Emory now stands at 15-13 for the season.

Emory University freshman second baseman Dylan Eisner led all Eagles in batting average and runs batted in during the team’s four games last week. Through four games, including a pair of starts, Eisner hit .571 (four-for-seven) with a double, two runs scored, three runs batted in and a pair of stolen bases on as many attempts. He finished the week with a team-high .714 slugging percentage, in addition to a .625 on base percentage. The left-handed hitter’s best performance of the week came in the early game of a doubleheader against Covenant College, a 6-5 Emory loss, during which he went two-for-three with two stolen bases, and drove in three runs with a bases-loaded double that gave the Eagles a 4-3 lead in the third inning. In Emory’s 8-1 win in the late contest, Eisner went one-for-two with a walk and a run scored. He also picked up a pinch hit single against Berry College on Tuesday, helping the Eagles to a 3-1 victory. He also played flawless defense at second base during the week, recording six putouts and three assists in his nine chances. Eisner is now batting .333 this season with three doubles, seven runs scored and six RBIs, and has a .960 fielding percentage at second base. His performance helped Emory to a 2-2 record during the week, and to a 13-11 overall record this season.

Emory University sophomore Dylan Finer allowed just one run over two appearances last week, including one start, and earned his first collegiate victory. Finer surrendered just six hits and one walk over seven innings of work, allowing opponents to hit just .222, and struck out a pair of batters. The southpaw led the Eagles to an 8-1 win over Covenant College on Saturday, allowing one earned run on four hits over five innings and striking out a batter in a 77-pitch effort, en route to earning his first career win. In a relief appearance on Tuesday, he helped the Eagles to a 3-1 win over Berry College, pitching a pair of scoreless innings and giving up just two hits and a walk with a strikeout over two innings, and leaving the game with a 1-0 lead. Finer is now 1-0 this season with a 3.86 ERA during his 14 innings pitched, which include three starts and five total appearances. Emory went 2-2 during the week, and now stands at 13-11 for the season.

Emory University sophomore Connor Dillman pitched seven shutout innings on Saturday, leading the Eagles to a 6-1 win over LaGrange College on Saturday. Dillman allowed just four hits and scattered six walks, while striking out three batters and keeping the Panthers off the scoreboard during his 108-pitch effort. He picked up the win in the game, improving to 2-2 on the season, while lowering his season ERA to 2.62. Dillman helped the Eagles win their third-straight game, as the squad improved to 11-9 for the season.

Emory University junior outfielder Daniel Iturrey went three-for-four with an RBI and a run scored during the Eagles’ 6-1 win over LaGrange College on Saturday. He picked up singles in each of the first, fifth and seventh innings, including an RBI hit, and a run scored in the bottom of the seventh to help secure the Eagles’ lead. Iturrey, who has started all 20 games for Emory, is now batting .278 this season with 15 runs batted in and 12 runs scored. He has helped Emory to an 11-9 record for the campaign.

Emory University freshman Paul Merolla delivered two strong starts for the Eagles during the 2013 University Athletic Association (UAA) Baseball Championships in Sanford, Florida last week. Merolla did not allow an earned run over seven innings pitched against the University of Rochester on Sunday, leaving the game with a 3-2 lead after 105 pitches. In the no-decision, the righty allowed just two runs on seven hits, striking out three and walking one. He came back against Brandeis University the following Friday, pitching the first complete game of his collegiate career, and helping the team to a 9-4 win. Merolla allowed four unearned runs on 12 hits, while striking out two and not giving up a walk on 104 pitches, en route to the win. Over the two starts combined, he recorded a 1-0 record with a 2.25 ERA and a .288 opponents’ batting average. For the season, Merolla is 2-1 with a 3.94 ERA over five appearances, including four starts. The Eagles went 4-4 at the UAA Championships, and now stand at 10-9 this season.

Emory University freshman Chris Slivka drove in a team-best nine runs over five games played during the 2013 University Athletic Association (UAA) Championships. Emory went 4-1 in the games started by Slivka, as the freshman hit .412 (seven-for-17) with four runs scored, two doubles, a triple, a stolen base, and the nine runs batted in. His highlights from the tournament include a three-for-four performance against Brandeis, which included five RBIs, a double and a triple, and a two-for-three game against Rochester with a pair of RBIs and two walks. For the season, Slivka is now batting .429 with nine RBIs and four doubles, helping Emory to a 10-9 record for the campaign.

Emory University junior Jared Kahn went two-for-three with a run scored and four stolen bases against tenth-ranked Birmingham-Southern College on Wednesday. The four stolen bases marked a season-best by an Emory player in 2013. He also scored the first run of the game for the Eagles, giving the squad an early 1-0 lead in the second inning, and recorded outs in both of his chances at shortstop during the game. Kahn is batting .288 this season with a team-best 11 runs scored and 10 stolen bases on 11 attempts. He helped Emory to a 6-5 overall record, entering the 2013 University Athletic Association Championships.

Emory University sophomore Connor Dillman struck out 15 batters through seven shutout innings in a no-decision against 10th-ranked Birmingham-Southern College on Wednesday. Dillman held the Panthers to just three hits and three walks, leaving the game after seven innings and 107 pitches with a 2-0 lead. The 15 strikeouts were not only a career-best for the right-handed pitcher, but also the second-most in a single game in school history, and one shy of the school record. Dillman has now struck out 31 batters through 26.1 innings this season, and is 0-1 with a 2.73 ERA. The Eagles entered the UAA Championships with a 6-5 overall record.

Emory University freshman Tyler Sprague won both of his starts during the week, allowing just five earned runs on 14 hits and four walks over 14 innings pitched. Sprague struck out nine batters, while pitching to a 3.21 ERA and limiting opponents to a .255 batting average. During Emory’s 8-5 win at Maryville College (Tenn.) on Tuesday, the righty pitched seven innings, allowing three earned runs on seven hits and a walk, while striking out seven, en route to the victory. He also earned the win during the Eagles’ 8-7 win against Huntingdon College on Sunday, allowing just two earned runs on seven hits and three walks with a pair of strikeouts over seven innings. Through the first three starts of his career, Sprague is a perfect 3-0 with a 2.14 ERA and 15 strikeouts over 21 innings, while holding opposing teams to a .250 average. The Eagles have opened the year with a 6-4 record.

Emory University sophomore Wes Peacock led all Eagles with a .588 batting average and five runs scored over four games last weekend. Peacock picked up 10 hits in 17 at bats, including a triple, while adding on three RBIs, a walk, and a stolen base on his only attempt. In addition, he played flawless defense in centerfield during the week with 15 putouts, leading all Emory outfielders. Hitting sixth against Maryville College (Tenn.) on Tuesday, the right-handed hitter led the Eagles to an 8-5 win, going three-for-four with a triple, two runs scored, an RBI. He picked up a hit in the Eagles’ 5-1 loss at Huntingdon College on Friday night, going one-for-four. Batting leadoff in a 14-7 loss to Huntingdon on Saturday, Peacock was three-for-five with a run scored. He rounded out the series with a three-for-four day in the two spot in the lineup, driving in two runs and scoring a pair, while also stealing a base. Peacock leads all Eagles with a .462 batting average and 10 runs scored this season, while adding on 10 RBIs and four stolen bases on as many attempts. His performance has helped the Eagles open the season with a 6-4 record.

Emory University freshman Steven Summey pitched 5.2 scoreless innings of relief over two games last week, earning a win and a save in the process. Over the two games, he allowed just four hits and two walks, while striking out six batters and limiting opponents to a .211 batting average. Summey made his collegiate debut during the Eagles’ 18-8 win over Oglethorpe University on Wednesday, entering the game with a three-run lead and the tying run at the plate with nobody out in the fifth inning, and allowing Emory to build its advantage by pitching three scoreless innings of one-hit baseball, striking out three and walking two. On Sunday, the southpaw earned a save by closing out a 6-3 Emory win over Bates College, throwing 2.2 scoreless relief innings, scattering three hits and striking out three. Summey’s performance helped the Eagles open the season with a 4-2 record.

Emory University junior right fielder Brandon Hannon hit .375 (six-for-16) through four games last week, while leading the Eagles with six runs scored, six runs batted in, and five stolen bases on as many attempts. Batting out of the two-spot in the lineup through all four games, his best effort of the week came during the Eagles’ 18-8 win over Oglethorpe University, during which he went four-for-five with a triple and three stolen bases, while driving in six runs and scoring four, each one shy of the school single-game record. In splitting a double-header with Bates College on Sunday, the co-captain went a combined two-for-eight in the two games with a stolen base, and threw a runner out at the plate in the early contest. During a 6-4 loss to Washington and Lee on Tuesday, Hannon drew a walk, was hit by a pitch, stole a base and scored a run. Through the first two weeks of the season, he is leading all Eagles with a .423 batting average, eight runs scored, 11 hits, seven RBIs and six stolen bases. Hannon has helped the Eagles start the season with a 4-2 record.

Emory University freshman Tyler Sprague earned a victory with seven shutout innings against Rhodes College in his first collegiate appearance on Sunday, leading the Eagles to a 5-0 victory. Sprague scattered six hits and a pair of walks, while striking out six batters with the efficient 100-pitch effort. The right-handed pitcher was able to limit scoring opportunities for the Lynx, allowing just one runner past second base in the outing, and facing just six batters over the minimum. Sprague’s performance completed Emory’s opening weekend sweep of Rhodes, as the Eagles improved to 2-0 for the season.

Emory University junior catcher Jared Welch helped spur the Eagles to a pair of opening-weekend wins over Rhodes College, batting .444 (four-for-nine) with three RBIs and a team-best three stolen bases on as many tries out of the three-spot in the lineup during the two-game road series. On Saturday, Welch was two-for-four with a pair of singles, a run scored, an RBI, a walk and a stolen base. In the 8-3 victory, he tied the game at 2-2 in the top of the eighth inning with an RBI single, then stole a base and scored the game-winning run to give the Eagles a lead they would hold for the remainder of the contest. During Sunday’s 5-0 victory, the catcher went two-for-five with two RBIs, two stolen bases and a run scored, scoring the first run of the game in the third inning and driving in two in the fourth. Welch also threw out two of three runners attempting to steal against him in the game. His performance helped the Eagles open the season with a 2-0 record.