In an extra-inning thriller at Chappell Park on Friday, Emory University's Kevin O'Connor hit a two-run single with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 10^th inning, giving the Eagles a hard-fought 5-4 victory over the Covenant College Scots.

Emory improved to 22-12 on the season, putting an end to a two-game losing streak in dramatic fashion.  Covenant dropped to 17-10 on the year with the loss.

Emory would strike first in the contest, scoring a pair of runs in the first inning, as Ryan Jones scored from third on a wild pitch, and Brandon Hannon came across the plate on an RBI groundout from Andrew Cohn.

Following the early runs scored by the Eagles, the game settled into a pitchers' duel between Emory starter Ben Hinojosa, and Covenant starter Tyler Smith, who entered the game with eight wins in as many appearances this season.  Covenant picked up its first run of the game in the third inning, scoring on back-to-back doubles from Luke Furuto and James Rollins.  The pair keyed a two-run fifth inning for the Scots as well, with each picking up an RBI hit in the frame, giving Covenant its first lead of the game, 3-2 over Emory.

Emory would mount a two-out rally in the sixth inning, as O'Connor picked up a walk, and Jonathan Reilly followed with a double to right field, scoring O'Connor from first base to tie the game at 3-3.

Hinojosa continued to pitch well, retiring eight of the last nine batters he faced, and finishing the game with three runs allowed on eight hits and a walk, while striking two in eight innings.  The freshman now has an ERA of 3.10 this season, and recorded his fifth start of seven or more innings this season.

Covenant would match the Hinojosa's pitching effort, as Smith left the game with two outs in the seventh, after allowing three runs on five hits and two walks.  Demarius Johnson would follow Smith with two and a third innings of one-hit baseball, striking out six batters.

Freshman Matt McMahon entered the game in relief for Hinojosa, pitching a scoreless ninth inning, sending the contest into extra innings.  In the 10^th, McMahon got two quick outs, but gave up a single and a triple down the right field line, giving the Scots a 4-3 lead.

Emory wasted little time getting to work in the bottom of the 10^th.  Jones drew a leadoff walk for the Eagles, and Hannon reached on a bunt single to put runners at first and second.  Cohn, the next batter, laid a sacrifice bunt down, but the throw to first was dropped by the second baseman, who was covering the base on the play.  With the bases loaded and nobody out, O'Connor picked up his two-run single, winning the game for Emory.

McMahon earned the win for Emory, improving to 3-2 on the season, while Wes McDowell fell to 3-1 on the year with the loss.  Patrick Riebsame and Hannon each picked up two hits in the game for Emory.

The two teams will meet again tomorrow, as Emory will travel to Lookout Mountain, GA, for a 2:00 PM game against Covenant.