From NYU Athletics
The New York University baseball team won its second straight game, defeating Emory University 8-5 at the University Athletic Association (UAA) Championships on Thursday, March 10, at Sanford Memorial Stadium in Sanford, FL.
The Violets (4-6, 2-3 UAA) used a three-run rally in the bottom of sixth to overcome a 5-3 deficit and go on to secure the win over the Eagles (13-4, 3-2), who are currently ranked #3 in the nation by d3baseball.com.
"Over the last two days we've really put pressure on our guys to play up to their abilities," said NYU Head Coach Doug Kimbler. "And every guy on the team has stepped up and contributed."
The Violets posted a 10-8 win over Case Western Resrve University on Wednesday.
The winning rally on Thursday began with consecutive walks to Jeremy Wayne, Jack Walter and Ryan McLaughlin. Jake Smith then drove in the first run with a groundout. After Smith stole second, Adrian Spitz hit a scarifice fly to score Walter and move Smith to third. Smith then scored on a wild pitch for the Violets' sixth, and ultimately, winning run.
NYU tacked on two insurance runs in the eighth inning. Walter singled and eventually scored on a single by McLaughlin, who scored later in the inning on a double by Spitz.
"We don't really talk to our guys about clutch hits. We just talk about putting the ball in play," Kimbler explained.
Jarrett Weiss started for the Violets and only allowed one hit over three innings, but his two walks allowed and three hit batsmen led to three earned runs. Jacob Bader followed and allowed the Eagles' other two runs.
The final four Violets to take the hill, Eli Edwards, Jack Kurtenbach, Paul Gadaleta, and Matthew Millus, combined for 3.1 shutout innings.
"We got behind hitters, but made crucial pitches when it mattered," Kimbler said.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Millus picked up his third save with a 1-2-3 ninth inning.
-McLaughlin, Spitz and Jonathan Iaione each had two hits, while Spitz and Smith drove in two runs each.
- Walter scored three runs.
- Violet pitchers struck out nine batters, including three each for Weiss and Bader.
"We got down 5-3 and didn't quit," Kimbler concluded. "That's the making of a good team."