LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN -- Perry Rigby launched a three-run, walk-off home run to left field in the first game of the doubleheader, but visiting Emory would claim game two on Saturday afternoon on Lookout Mountain.
With Rigby's blast, Covenant took game one 6-5 before Emory claimed an 8-1 victory in the second game to salvage the final game of the series. Covenant won the series two games to one.
Covenant moves to 18-5 on the season, while Emory goes to 13-11 overall.
Game One: Covenant 6, Emory 5
The Scots trailed 5-3 entering into the bottom of the seventh inning, but Rigby came through with two outs and launched a three-run home run to left field giving Covenant a 6-5 win.
In the seventh, David Lockwood singled with one out and was forced out on a Scott Gillespie ground out. Sterling Witt kept the inning alive with a double down the right field line to put runners on second and third with two down. Rigby fell behind in the count, but fouled a off a few pitches before belting a no doubter to left field that sent the Covenant dugout running on to the field. The home run was Rigby's third of the season.
Covenant took a 3-0 lead after two innings. Gillespie had a sacrifice fly and Rigby added an RBI fielder's choice in a two-run first inning. In the second, Will Cleland delivered a two-out RBI single to right field that plated David Murphy.
Emory would respond with four runs in the top of the third. A bases loaded walk followed by a bases-clearing three-run double from Dylan Eisner gave the Eagles a 4-3 edge.
Emory would add a run in the sixth when Eisner stole third and took home on a throwing error to make it 5-3.
Covenant reliever Jonah Paul (1-0) picks up the victory. Paul threw the final two innings and did not allow a hit or an earned run while striking out one. Garrett Kriston started and went five innings allowing four runs, though none were earned, and punching out four.
Emory's Tyler Sprague (3-3) is hit with the loss as he allowed all three runs in the seventh inning. Paul Merolla went five innings and struck out five while allowing three earned runs in his start.
Cleland and Lockwood each went 2-for-4 for Covenant, with Cleland picking up an RBI. Rigby finished 1-for-4 with four RBIs.
Eisner was 2-for-3 with three runs driven in for Emory.
Game Two: Emory 8, Covenant 1
In the second game, Emory gained an early lead and this time was able to hold on for an 8-1 victory.
Emory scored a run in the first inning on a Jared Welch RBI single, then the Eagles scored three more times in the second to take a 4-0 lead.
That lead was more than enough for Emory starter Dyland Finer. Finer (1-0) went five innings and allowed just one run on four hits on 77 pitches. Matt McMahon relived Finer and threw two scoreless innings.
Covenant's lone run of the game came in the bottom of the fifth. Rigby led off with a double to left field and was later driven home on a Chris Rollins double to left-center field making the score 4-1.
Emory would put the game away with four runs in the top of the sixth, with the big blow coming on a bases-clearing single by Brandon Hannon.
Covenant starter Keith Rice (0-3) is saddled with the loss as he gave up five runs, two earned, on seven hits in five innings of work. Relievers Dan Thomas and Spencer Smith combined to throw the final two innings.
Rollins went 2-for-3 with an RBI for Covenant as the Scots mustered just six hits.
Hannon, Welch, and Jordan Selbach each had two hits for Emory. Hannon and Selbach had two RBIs apiece.
Covenant is back in action on Tuesday when they ftravel to face Maryville for a doubleheader. Game one is set for 4 p.m.
