ATLANTA, Ga. - No. 19 Emory pushed across the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning for a 9-8 win over LaGrange at Chappell Park on Sunday.
The loss left the Panthers 10-15 on the season, while the Eagles improved to 16-9.
The game was scoreless through five innings in a pitching duel between the Panthers' Zach English and Emory's Paul Merolla.
The Panthers broke through with five runs in the sixth. Alex Murfin led off with infield bunt and Jim Reed reached on an error. Keith Sims doubled to left center to drive in Murfin and Reed with the first runs of the game.
Cain Sauls followed with another double to score Sims. After Casey Bell bunted his way on, Sauls scored as Jame Poropatic reached on fielder's choice. Kyle Gutowski's two-out single brought home Poropatic to make it 5-0.
The Eagles came back with eight runs in the seventh to take an 8-5 lead, getting four of the runs off English and the other four off reliever Blake Schuck.
Gutowski cut Emory's lead to 8-6 with another two out hit. Poropatic scored on the play after reaching on an error that kept the inning going.
The Panthers tied the game in the ninth. Murfin started the inning with an infield hit and one out later Sims was hit by a pitch. Both runners moved into scoring position on a wild pitch.
Murfin came home as Sauls ground out to second to make it a one run game. After Bell was hit by a pitch, Poropatic followed with the clutch hit, scoring Sims to tie the game 8-8.
But Emory got the winning run in the bottom of the inning off Tyler Brooks (1-3). Brian Hernandez's two-out single scored Dylan Eisner, who led off the inning with a hit.
The Panthers host Greensboro in a three-game USA South series starting Thursday and continuing through Saturday. The two teams will play at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, with a 1 p.m. start Saturday.
