FRANKLIN SPRINGS, GA – The Emmanuel Baseball team hosted the Augusta University Jaguars in their home opener of the season, and it was a game for the record books! The Jaguars took an early lead, but a 3-run 8^th inning for the Lions helped Emmanuel mount a comeback and take the game, 6-5. With the win, the Lions improve to 7-3 on the season. 
 
Augusta got the scoring started in the 2^nd inning, plating two runs on three hits and leaving one man on base. 
 
After several scoreless innings for both teams, the Lions got their bats going in the bottom of the 6^th. Brody Campbell got things started with a single to right, advancing to second on a wild pitch. Nick Dietsch and Zachary Bergstrom would both walk to load the bases. Cooper Tomkinson would walk to score Campbell and cut the Jaguars lead in half, 2-1. After a pitching change, Thomas Collins would walk to score Dietsch and tie the game at 2-2. 
 
In the top of the 7^th, the Jaguars would score three runs on three hits, leaving one runner on base to take a 5-3 lead. In the bottom half of the inning, the Lions would answer. Brock Wollin started with a single to shortstop, advancing on a passed ball. Campbell singled to right field to score Wollin and make it 5-3 Jaguars. 
 
After a scorless top of the 8^th for Augusta, the Lions kept the momentum going. Tomkinson was hit by a pitch to start the inning. Braeden Eavenson was hit by a pitch and Tomkinson advanced to second. Bailey Stroud kept it going with a single, and a wild pitch advanced the runners, scoring Tomkinson to make it 5-4 Augusta.  A single by Connor Poitevint would score Eavenson and tie the game at 5-5. Wollin would ground out, scoring Stroud to give the Lions their first lead of the game. 
 
Clifford Brown came in to close out the 9^th inning and sat the Jaguars down in order to give the Lions a 6-5 win! 
 
At the plate, Brody Campbell went 3-5 on the night. 
 
On the mound, Colby Fields got the start, going 5 innings and giving up two runs on four hits. He struck out four of the 19 batters he faced. Chase Lupton relieved him, pitching less than an inning and giving up one hit. Barrett Barkley was next on the mound, giving up three runs on three hits, and striking out one. Simon Boggie pitched an inning for the Lions and earned the win, giving up a hit. Clifford Brown closed the game for Emmanuel, striking out two of the three batters he faced.
 
Up next the Lions will host Thomas More University on Friday at 3PM.
 
For more information on Emmanuel University athletics, visit goeulions.com.