Emory University freshman Connor Dillman turned in his second strong outing of the University Athletic Association (UAA) Championships on Thursday, and the Eagles' bats came alive with four runs in the ninth inning to secure a 9-4 win over the University of Rochester in Sanford, FL.

Dillman shutdown the Yellowjackets' offense through the first seven innings of the game, despite pitching on just three days of rest after his first-career complete game shutout on Sunday.  Dillman left the game with the team leading 5-0 and with the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth inning, and was charged with three runs on five hits, while striking out seven batters.

Junior closer Mike Bitanga allowed all three inherited runners to score, along with one of his own in the inning, as Rochester pulled to within a run of the Eagles, 5-4.  However, Emory got the four runs back in the top of the ninth on the second RBI double of the day for sophomore Ryan Toscano, a bunt single from Wes Peacock on a suicide squeeze play, and a two-RBI double for freshman Brett Lake.

Bitanga closed out the game by setting the Rochester side down in order in the bottom of the ninth, earning his second save of the UAA Championships and fifth of the season.   He now was 13 career saves, three shy of the program's all time record.

Dillman earned the victory in the game, his second in as many UAA starts to raise his season ledger to a team-best 5-1.  Rochester starter Brian Sheffler took the loss, falling to 0-1.

After both teams went scoreless for the first three innings, the Eagles broke through off Sheffler in the fourth, when senior Kevin O'Connor drove in two runs with a single, the team's first hit of the game.  Emory added on three more in the seventh, on RBI hits from senior Jay Page and Toscano, and a double steal that scored Lake from third.

Lake stole two more bases in the game, giving him 11 through the first six games of the UAA Championships to tie a conference record.  He finished the day one-for-five with a run scored, two RBIs and a double.

While Emory picked up just eight hits in the game, the Eagles drew 12 walks in the contest, including four free passes accepted by sophomore Brandon Hannon, and three from junior Daniel Iturrey.  Hannon was two-for-two on the day, adding on a double and a pair of stolen bases.

The win raised Emory's season record to 12-7, and increased the team's conference mark to 5-1.  Rochester dropped to 1-5 this season, with all six games taking place at the UAA Championships.

The victory also sets up a key rematch between the Eagles and the Bears of Washington University (Mo.), who sit atop the UAA standings with a 5-0 record entering play on Thursday.  Washington handed Emory's its only conference loss so far with a 10-1 win over the Eagles on Wednesday.

Emory and Washington will hit the field in Sanford, FL at 2:30 PM on Friday.