In their first outdoor action since last fall, the Big Red showed a little rust, but warmed up as the afternoon went on.  However, after surrendering a 7-0 lead to Emory University in the first three innings it would prove to be too much as the Eagles handed their former assistant coach and first-year Denison head coach, Mike Clark, a 18-10 loss from Chappell Park in Atlanta, Ga.

Emory's Kevin O'Connor was 2 for 4 with a double, triple and five RBIs to lead the Eagles.  Left fielder Mark Mazur was 2 for 2 with two walks, a triple and three RBIs.  Starting pitcher Paul Schwendel earned the victory after going five innings and allowing just three runs off three hits while striking out seven.

The loss was saddled to Denison starter Kevin Bratcher (Raleigh, N.C./Ravenscroft) who went 2.1 innings while allowing eight hits and seven earned runs.  DU was led at the plate by left fielder Andrew Mahle (Belle Meade, N.J./Montgomery) who went 2 for 3 with two walks and two RBIs.  Kevin Teague (Fairfax Station, Va./St. Stephen's and St. Agnes) was 2 for 2 and Park Smith (Warren, N.J./The Pingry School) was 0 for 3 but did drive in three runs after being hit by a pitch twice and walking once.

The Big Red will return to the field again at 8 p.m. on Friday when they take on Montclair St. at Piedmont College in Demorest, Ga.