From Emory University Athletics

Emory University came back from a two-run deficit in the bottom of the eighth inning with a five run frame, rallying to defeat Berry College 8-5 at Chappell Park on Tuesday.

The win was the fourth-straight for the Eagles and their seventh in the last eight games, as the team improved to 20-10 overall for the season.  It also evened the season series with Berry at a game apiece, as the Vikings dropped to 18-14-1 in 2015.

Trailing 5-3 heading into the bottom eighth, the Eagles' top of the order started the eighth inning with three-straight hits, including an RBI single from sophomore designated hitter Brian Hernandez to pull Emory within a run.  After a sacrifice bunt from junior first baseman Ben Vizvary moved the tying and go-ahead runs into scoring position with one out, junior Philip Maldari grounded a ball to second base that got between the legs of the Berry second baseman, scoring both runs.

Senior outfielders Wes Peacock and Jordan Selbach each followed with RBI doubles, extending the Eagles' lead to 8-5.

Emory reliever Kyle Monk would then go on to pitch a one-two-three ninth inning to secure the victory and pick up the win, improving to 2-1 on the year.  Monk pitched the final three and two-thirds for the Eagles, allowing just one run on two hits and a walk, while striking out three.

Emory sophomore Luke Emmett started the game and received a no decision.  The southpaw allowed a run in the first inning, but yielded just one more through his four and a third inning effort on four hits and two walks, en route to the no decision.

Meanwhile, Emory evened the game in the bottom of the second inning when Maldari scored on a wild pitch, and then took the lead in the fourth on an RBI double from Peacock and a run-scoring single from Selbach.  The Vikings would go on to score four unanswered runs – one in the fifth, two in the sixth and one in the eighth – to take the 5-3 lead over Emory heading into the eighth, before the Eagles regained the advantage in the bottom of frame.

Selbach finished the game four-for-four with two RBIs and a double, while Peacock and Hernandez and junior David Coble each picked up a pair of hits.  The Eagles outhit Berry 12-7 in the game.

Berry reliever Joey Bell allowed the five runs in the bottom of the eighth, taking the loss to drop to 0-1 on the year.