Paul's complete-game gem lifts Covenant to series sweep of E&H

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LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN -- Jonah Paul twirled a complete-game gem and the Covenant baseball team used a four-run first inning to take a 5-0 victory over Emory & Henry and complete a three-game sweep on Saturday afternoon.

The win moves Covenant 5-0 on the year. It is the second straight season the Scots have started 5-0. Emory & Henry drops to 0-6 overall.

Paul (2-0) was masterful in his first career nine-inning complete-game. The senior right-hander allowed three hits while striking out a career-high nine batters and facing just five hitters over the minimum. Of Paul's 98 pitches, 73 were for strikes as he consistently worked ahead in the count.

Paul's effort on the mound was backed by a four-run first inning for the Scots. Luke Harvey hit a one-out single and was chased home on Caleb Bloye's double that went off the center field fence giving Covenant a 1-0 lead. After consecutive walks to Alex Kerr and Joel JohnsonPerry Rigby doubled down the line in left to score Bloye and Kerr for a 3-0 lead. One batter later, Forrest Hunter reached on a fielder's choice as Johnson raced home in front a throw from Wasps third baseman Eli Straw for the fourth run.

After the four-run inning, the bats fell silent on both sides. Paul continued to produce quick outs as he set down seven straight hitters at one point in the middle innings. Emory & Henry reliever Gavin Felty matched Paul with nine straight retired.

In the bottom of the eighth, Johnson launched a 1-0 pitch from Logan Forster over the left field fence for his first career home run and the game's final margin at 5-0.

Harvey went 2-for-3 with a run scored and a stolen base for Covenant. Rigby drove in two and was 1-for-4 on the day.

Emory & Henry starter Troy Polen (0-2) gets the loss as he lasted just one inning and surrendered four runs on three hits. Felty came on in relief and went six shutout innings. Brandon Lineberry had two of the Wasps' three hits.