The Emory University Baseball team looks to close out the 2018 season on a positive note as the Eagles travel to New York University with a chance to clinch a share of the University Athletic Association Championship. The four-game set with the Violets is set to begin on Friday with a single game starting at 3:00 PM.
UAA Championship Scenario
With Case Western Reserve losing two of four games against Washington University last weekend, the Spartans finished the UAA slate with a 12-4 record and clinched a share of the UAA crown. Emory carries an 8-4 conference record into play Friday and would earn a share of the 2018 UAA title with four wins over NYU. Emory has claimed either an outright or shared UAA championship 13 times in its history with the last title coming in 2015.
Emory Eagles (17-17, 8-4 UAA)
The Eagles fell back to .500 on the season after dropping two non-conference matchups against Huntingdon College. Sophomore Richard Brereton has proved he is one of the top dual threat options in the country as he enters the final weekend as the team leader in average (.351), runs (34), hits (47), doubles (10), triples (3), walks (14), stolen bases (12), slugging percentage (.515) and on-base percentage (.416) as well as the team leader in pitching wins (4), innings pitched (62.0) and strikeouts (58).
Classmate Christopher Stern has turned in a breakout season at the hot corner, compiling a .344 average and leads the team with three home runs and 31 RBI. Freshman Christian Bradley has emerged as one of the top relief options for the Eagles, posting a 3-1 record with three saves in 13 appearances, racking up 16 strikeouts in 24.0 innings pitched.
NYU Violets (26-8, 5-7 UAA)
NYU is coming off a 3-1 weekend against Brandeis University and a non-conference win over Yeshiva University on Wednesday to carry a 26-8 record into the series against the Eagles. The Violets sit fourth in the UAA standings with a 5-7 mark.
The Violets, as a team, are batting .313 and possess three of the top four batting average leaders in the UAA. Colman Hendershot has been one of the best hitters in the league in 2018, owning a league-leading .407 average and 59 RBI into action on Friday. 2017 UAA Most Valuable Player Jonathan Iaione is hitting at .351 clip with 11 doubles and 40 runs batted in.
On the mound, NYU has collectively posted a 3.39 ERA with Cameron Serapilio-Frank sporting an 8-0 record with a 1.56 ERA in nine starts with 37 punch outs. Sal Cammisuli is 5-1 in 10 appearances including seven starts with a 2.48 ERA.
NYU is under the leadership of Doug Kimbler who is 90-66 in his four seasons at the helm. He is assisted by Chris Bayer, Tommy Cardona, Jack Winters, Mike Mobbs and Dominick Chiodi.