ST. LOUIS, Mo. - The Washington University in St. Louis baseball team dropped its University Athletic Association (UAA) series opener to Emory University, Friday, April 12, by a final score of 21-7. With the setback, WashU's record now sits at 19-10 (3-2 UAA), while Emory's record jumped to 17-14 (4-5 UAA). 

 

The Eagles outhit WashU by a final tally of 15-8. 

 

Emory scored an unearned run in the top of the first to snag the early 1-0 lead. 

 

The Bears had a prime chance to even the score in the bottom half of the first, manufacturing first and second, with one away, as well as bases loaded, with two outs. However, a nifty grab by the Eagle shortstop and a line drive to center kept WashU off the scoreboard. After one inning of play, Emory held the 1-0 cushion. 

 

In the top of the second, the Eagles recorded a two-run, two out, homer to right to up its advantage to 3-0. 

 

Emory notched its second two-run home run in the top of the third to generate the 5-0 lead. 

 

Sophomore Shane Pellegrino and senior Harry Mauterer each singled, then senior Clayton Miller drew a walk to load the bases for the Bears, with no one out, in the bottom of the third. Stepping up to the plate, graduate student Evan Minarovic cranked his fourth home run of the season, this time, a grand slam, to get WashU within one, 5-4. Minarovic's blast caught the jet stream in right and just carried over the fence. With three innings in the books, the Eagles clung to the 5-4 advantage. 

 

Emory tallied four runs in the top of the fourth and one run in the sixth to secure the 10-4 cushion as the game progressed to the bottom of the sixth. 

 

WashU loaded the bases, with one out, in the bottom of the sixth. Junior Brandon Buday led off with a bloop double to center, then first year Miles Birke singled, which was followed by a senior Magnus Dunn walk to warrant an Eagle pitching change. After the change on the mound, Pellegrino drew a four-pitch walk, which allowed Buday to jog home to cut the deficit to five, 10-5. 

 

Still in the sixth, with two outs, Clayton Miller laced a two RBI single to left as Birke and Dunn both scored on the base knock. After six innings, the Eagles held the 10-7 lead. 

 

Emory sent its third two-run homer over the fence in the top of the seventh to retake its five-run, 12-7, cushion. 

 

The Eagles grabbed nine runs in the eighth to own the 21-7 lead and went on to win by a final score of 21-7. 

 

The Bears and Eagles will continue the UAA series, tomorrow, Saturday, April 13 with a twin bill. First pitch from Kelly Field is scheduled for 12 p.m., with game two starting approximately 30 minutes upon the conclusion of game one.