A ninth-inning rally by Emory University fell just short on Tuesday afternoon at Chappell Park, as the Eagles dropped a 6-4 decision to the Washington and Lee Generals.

The loss came despite a strong relief effort from freshman Paul Merolla, who delivered 4.2 shutout innings out of the bullpen, allowing just four hits and striking out four batters in his collegiate debut.

Merolla entered the game in the top of the third inning with the Eagles trailing 3-0, and two Generals' runners on with one out.  He proceeded to get a strikeout and a fly out to end the frame, and prevent further damage. 

Merolla continued to shut down Washington and Lee, as the Eagles climbed back into the game.  Emory scored a run in the fifth on a sacrifice fly from Mark Lindemann, and another in the sixth on a RBI single by Daniel Iturrey on a 3-2 pitch with two outs.

In the seventh, Emory tied the game up on a pinch hit sacrifice fly from Josh Bokor, evening the game at 3-3.  The score remained knotted until the ninth, when the Generals took advantage of two hit batters, an error and two walks to score three runs.

The Eagles threatened in the bottom of the ninth, scoring a run on an RBI groundout from Ryan Toscano and loading the bases with two away, but the Washington and Lee pitcher induced a pop-out in foul territory to end the game.

Sophomore Graham Bloomsmith took the loss for Emory, falling to 1-1 on the season.  Eric Wisotsky (1-0) picked up the win for the Generals, while Jake Rudolph recorded the final out to claim his first save of the season.

Sophomore Wes Peacock finished the game four-for-four with two runs scored and two stolen bases.  Iturrey added a two-for-four performance with two RBIs.

The Eagles dropped to 2-1 on the year with the loss, while Washington & Lee raised its record to 4-1.  Emory will be back in action on Wednesday, playing at Oglethorpe University at 5:00 PM.