Denison pitchers allowed only five hits but Emory made the most of their offensive opportunities by scoring five runs en route to the 5-0 victory over the Big Red in the final day of the Rawlings Southern Classic from Atlanta, Ga.
Denison pitchers, led by starter Dale McOsker (Loveland, Ohio/Loveland) were outstanding all afternoon. McOsker allowed only two hits in five innings pitched while striking out five. He did walk three batters but his one run allowed in the third inning was not earned. Joro Forman (Coral Gables, Fla./Palmer Trinity) and Connor Murphy (Winnetka, Ill./New Trier) combined for the final three innings of work.
Trailing 2-0 going into the eighth inning, Emory led off the inning with a base hit and a walk. A sacrifice bunt moved both runners into scoring position and Emory second baseman Kevin O'Connor drove in the third run of the game with a single to right field. An RBI fielders choice by Jonathan Reilly put Emory on top 4-0 and two throwing errors by the Big Red would give the Eagles their fifth and final run of the game.
Denison hitters pieced together eight hits on the day but struggled with Emory freshman Ben Hinojosa who scattered six hits over seven innings. Hinojosa struck out five and did not walk a batter in his first career start. Sophomore transfer Mike Bitanga worked the final two innings to pick up his second save of the season.
DU was led at the plate by designated hitter Danny Kraus (Westlake, Ohio/Westlake) who went 2 for 4. The Big Red's best chance to get something going on offense came in the third inning when Kraus slapped a two-out single to left. Matt Forgatch (San Marino, Calif./San Marino) followed with a base hit through the left side and a wild pitch with Justin Vaske (West Chester, Ohio/Lakota West) at the plate would move both Kraus and Forgatch into scoring position. Hinojosa would work out of the jam by forcing Vaske to ground out to second base, ending the threat.
Emory improves to 5-1 overall while Denison travels home with a 1-3 record. The Big Red will return to the diamond on March 4 when they travel to Conway, Ark. for a three-game series with Hendrix College.
