PEMBROKE, NC - The Emmanuel baseball team (17-32, 9-21 CC) faced #24 UNC Pembroke for a three game series this weekend. The Braves swept the series, 7-2, 7-2, and 2-1.
Game one:
The Braves scored twice in the first inning to gain an early 2-0 lead. In the fourth inning Yeshua Saint tied things up when he sent a two-run homer out of the park. The score remained tied 2-2 until the bottom of the sixth, when the Braves' bats got hot. The five run inning would lead to UNC Pembroke winning by just as many, 7-2.
Ryan Smith pitched the first four innings for the Lions. He struck out four while giving up seven hits and two runs. Hunter Parks, Clifford Brown, and Kyle Heuchert entered out of relief from the bullpen.
Cody Minnis went two for four at the plate to lead the offensive effort.
Game two:
The second game of the series followed a different pattern. The Lions scored first, taking a 1-0 lead in the top of the second when Vinny Antinori got Brody Campbell across home plate. However, the Braves scored three runs in the bottom of the same inning and followed it with another pair in the fourth. Emmanuel scored once more in the fifth, this time from a Brody Campbell RBI. But it wasn't enough as the Braves scored a final run in the bottom of the fifth en route to a final score of 7-2, UNC Pembroke.
Colby Fields started the game on the mound. He gave up five hits and six runs over three and two thirds innings, striking out three. Trey Campbell pitched two innings before Ben Hudson recorded the final out.
Cody Minnis led the offense with 2 hits in 4 at bats.
Game three:
The Lions scored first once again, this time off a sac fly from Cody Minnis in the top of the third, sending Kyle Lacross home. The Braves scored one run in the fourth before recording a two-run homer in the fifth, taking a 3-1 lead. The Lions mustered a final score in the top of the sixth when Jonathan Manibusan singled to send Dustin Frost home. However, it wasn't enough as the Braves went on to win by a run, 3-2.
Jake Denham threw a great game from the mound, giving up just five hits and three runs over six and a third innings. He struck out six while walking four. Simon Boggie recorded the last five outs.
Luke Patty had two hits, the most on the team.
This concludes the 2022 season for Emmanuel baseball.
For more on Emmanuel College athletics, visit goeclions.com.