Covenant College rallied for three runs in the top of the ninth inning to defeat the Emory University Baseball team 4-2 in the opening game of a three-game series, as the Eagles' four-game winning streak came to a close on Friday afternoon at Chappell Park.
Emory lead 2-1 heading into the ninth behind another strong pitching effort from sophomore Connor Dillman, who allowed just one unearned run through his first eight innings of work on four hits and three walks, while striking out three. However, the Scots opened the ninth with a pair of hits, including a double, to chase Dillman from the game after 116 pitches. Covenant would go on to score three runs in the frame, including two earned, following an error, an RBI single, a sacrifice fly and another RBI base hit, taking the lead for good in the contest.
The Scots took the initial lead in the game, scoring an unearned run in the fourth inning on an RBI single from Scott Gillespie, but Emory answered back in the bottom of the fifth. The Eagles started the inning with an infield single from junior Jared Kahn, who stole second base before junior Daniel Iturrey singled on a bunt to put runners on the corners. After Josh Bokor walked after an 11-pitch at bat, the Eagles scored on a Ryan Toscano sacrifice fly and a Mark Lindemann RBI groundout.
The Eagles would hold the 2-1 lead until the ninth, when Covenant regained the advantage with the three-run frame.
Dillman took the loss for Emory, dropping to 2-3 for the year, despite lowering his earned run average to 2.57. Alec Mitchell picked up the win for Covenant with two scoreless inning of relief work. Covenant starter Micah Mabe left after seven innings with a no-decision, despite allowing just four infield hits and one walk during the day.
Emory sophomore Wes Peacock went 0-for-4 in the contest, as he saw his 16-game hitting streak come to a close. Junior Brandon Hannon and Kahn each picked up hits to increase their hitting streaks to nine games, apiece.
The loss halted the Eagles' four-game winning streak, and dropped the team to 12-10 overall this season, while Covenant raised its season ledger to 17-4. The Eagles and the Scots will meet again on Saturday, March 30th in Lookout Mountain, GA, with a doubleheader slated for a 1:00 PM start.