The top-ranked Emory University Baseball team was swept in a Saturday doubleheader against Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, GA. With the two defeats, the Eagles fall to 17-4 overall while Covenant improves to 8-13.
The Scots took game one of the double dip, 12-10, in a high scoring affair. Covenant raced out to a 9-0 lead in the early innings and was able to hold on for the win despite a late charge by the Eagles.
In the second game, Emory opened with a 2-0 advantage but eight unanswered runs by the Scots helped them to the series win.
Game One – Covenant 12, Emory 10
Emory fell behind early in the first matchup of the afternoon as Covenant scored nine runs through the first four innings to move in front 9-0.
The Eagles made a late comeback, outscoring Covenant 10-3 through the fifth and eighth innings but the early deficit was too large to overcome. Emory brought the go-ahead run to the plate in the top of the ninth with back-to-back two out singles by sophomore David Draper and freshman Richard Brereton. Senior Jeff Ronpirin however grounded out to third to end the ball game.
Senior Chris Young went 2-for-5 with three RBIs, extending his hitting streak to 11 contests. Hernandez added two hits with three RBIs while scoring twice. Ronpirin collected a game-high three hits, driving in two runs for the Eagles.
Senior starter Luke Emmett lasted just 2.1 innings, allowing seven runs on five hits and seven walks, as he suffered his first loss of the season.
Game Two – Covenant 8, Emory 2 (7 inn.)
The Eagles led off the scoring as freshman Ryan Adelman worked a bases loaded walk in the second inning to force home Young. Two innings later, Young scored on a throwing error by Covenant's first baseman to make it 2-0.
Senior Philip Maldari held the Scots scoreless through the first three frames until back-to-back doubles in fourth tied the game at 2-2. The following inning Alex Kerr led off with a home run to left field to give Covenant the lead for good.
Young tallied two more hits in the nightcap, going 2-for-2 with both runs scored as he pushed his team-leading hit streak to 12 games.
Maldari worked into the fifth inning, giving up three runs on four hits while striking out a pair but fell to 0-1 on the season.
Emory returns to the diamond Tuesday afternoon when the team hosts LaGrange College in another matchup of team ranked in the top-10 nationally. First pitch from Chappell Park is set for 3:00 PM.