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.