The Emory University baseball team snapped its two-game losing skid Tuesday night, picking up an 8-4 victory on the road against in-state rival Piedmont College at Loudermilk Field in Demorest, GA.
Joey Bock turned in one of his best career performances on the mound as he improved to 2-0 on the season while Caleb Shulman and Robby Wacker combined to drive in five runs for the Eagles as they moved to 3-3 overall.
Bock pitched six innings, striking out a career-best eight batters to earn the win. He allowed just one run on three hits and two walks. He closed out his outing by escaping a bases-loaded situation in the bottom of the sixth inning.
At the plate, two big innings helped Emory stake a large lead over the Lions. In the top of the third, Drew Bartholow reached on an infield single with Jack Masonis scoring on the play. Three batters later, Shulman delivered a two-run double to left center to plate Bartholow and Jack Rubenstein to make it 3-0 Eagles.
With the score 4-1 entering the seventh, Emory tacked on four more runs to open their lead. Wacker cashed in with a bases-clearing triple down the right field line before Ryan Adelman brought him home two batters later with a single.
Piedmont did not go quietly as they scored twice in the eighth and brought the tying run to the on-deck circle in the bottom of the ninth. The Lions began the final frame by loading the bases against Aaron Mishoulam who was in his second inning of work, forcing him to leave the game. Kyle Sulkowski came on to replace him and did a great job of limiting the damage, allowing just one run on a sacrifice fly to secure his first career save.
Shulman paced the Eagles offense with a three-hit night, going 3-for-5 with two doubles, two RBI and a run scored. Adelman added a multi-hit game, finishing 2-for-3 with an RBI, run scored and a pair of walks.
The Eagles are slated to return to action this Sunday, March 28th with a doubleheader at Maryville College (TN). Firs pitch is scheduled for 2:00 PM.