Emory University freshman Hans Hansen threw seven scoreless innings at Chappell Park on Wednesday afternoon, and senior Robert Gross and freshman Kyle Monk completed the shutout out of the bullpen with an inning each, as the Eagles defeated Berry College 5-0 in a key regional matchup.

With both teams trying to improve their resume for selection to the NCAA Championships, the Eagles raised their record to 25-9 on the season, while Berry dropped to 24-12.  Emory has now won six-straight games, including a pair against Berry during that stretch to sweep the season series over the Vikings, who received votes in each of the latest Division III baseball polls.

After Hansen retired the side in order in the top of the first, the Eagles immediately went to work with their bats in the bottom of the frame.  Senior Jared Kahn led the game off with a double, and scored on a bunt single by senior Brandon Hannon, accompanied by a throwing error.  Senior Daniel Iturrey drove in the second run of the inning, scoring Hannon from second with a base hit up the middle, and after stealing second and advancing to third on Berry's second error of the inning, Iturrey scored on an RBI groundout from junior Wes Peacock.

Hansen would go on to shutout Berry through seven innings, scattering seven hits and two walks in the effort, and striking out three batters.  Emory added a run in the fifth on a two-out RBI double from Iturrey, and another in the eighth on a RBI single from Kahn.

Gross pitched a perfect eighth inning, and Monk worked around a one-out hit in the ninth, to complete the shutout, the team's second of the season.  Hansen improved to a team-best 7-1 on the campaign with a 2.59 ERA, and is now 4-0 with a 0.90 ERA over his last four starts.

Junior Jordan Selbach registered three of Emory's 11 hits in the game, finishing the contest three-for-four to raise his average to .342.  Kahn, Iturrey and Maldari each added two hits in the game.  Junior Brett Lake finished the game 0-for-4, failing to reach base in a game for the first time this season, and ending a streak of 34-straight games reaching base, dating back to last year.

Berry starter T.J. Montgomery took the loss for the Vikings, dropping to 3-4 on the season.

The Eagles will return to action this weekend, playing a home-and-home series against Georgia Gwinnett College, a NAIA institution.  Emory will travel to face the Grizzlies on Friday at 7:00 PM, before returning home to Chappell Park on Saturday for 'Senior Day,' with the first pitch scheduled for 2:00 PM.