Box Score GASTONIA, NC – The Emmanuel Baseball team took on the UNC Pembroke Braves today in the Conference Carolinas Tournament. The Braves got off to a strong start, scoring three runs in the 1^st inning, but the Lions roared back to tie things at 3-3. A home-run by Van Gupton Jr. in the 7^th would give the Lions their first lead, 4-3 but the Braves would score the final two runs of the game to take the win, 5-4.
 
The Braves got on the board first, scoring 3 runs on a hit and an error to take a 3-0 lead. 
 
The score stayed that way until the top of the 3^rd when the Lions answered back. Jesus Cruz got things started with a single to 1^st, advancing to 2^nd on a throwing error. Thomas Collins followed that up with a walk to put runners on 1^st and 2^nd. Brody Campbell took advantage of the situation, hitting a single up the middle to score both runners, making it 3-2, Braves.
 
In the top of the 5^th, the Lions got back to business. Nick Dietsch reached on an error to start the inning and Hayden Beall reached on a walk. Ryan Muniz followed that up with a single to left to score Dietsch, tying the game up at 3-3. 
 
The Lions took their first lead of the game in the top of the 7^th on a home-run by Van Gupton, Jr. to make the score 4-3. The Braves responded in the bottom half of the inning scoring a run on 2 hits to tie things up at 4. 
 
The Braves went back ahead with two outs in the bottom of the 9^th to take the win, 5-4. 
 
At the plate, Nick Dietsch was 2-4 and Brody Campbell drove in 2 runs.
 
Hunter Pirkle got the start for the Lions on the mound. He went 0.2 innings and gave up 3 runs on 1 hit, walking three batters. Chase Lupton relieved him to pitch 2.0 innings. He struck out one batter and walked another. Noah Cantleberry came in next, going 3.1 innings. He struck out 3 batters and walked 1. Barrett Barkley followed him, pitching 0.2 innings and giving up a run on three hits. Simon Boggie closed out the game for the Lions pitching the final 1.2 innings. He gave up a run on one hit, striking out a batter and walking another. 
 
The Lions will be back in action tomorrow at 11AM against North Greenville University. 
 
For more information on Emmanuel University athletics, visit goeulions.com.