ATLANTA, Georgia – For the second time this week, The College of Wooster baseball team was on the wrong side of a 4-3 walk-off win. Thursday's defeat came at the hands of Emory University at Chappell Park.

Wooster (9-7) received a strong start from sophomore Jack Spring, who held Emory (12-9) to a run on four hits in five innings. First-year Constantine Vernadakis relieved and allowed a run on two hits in two innings, setting the stage for junior Alex Gerdenich (0-2) to try to lock up his fourth save.

Gerdenich set Emory down in order in the bottom of the eighth, as Jake Lawson flied out to junior left fielder Leo Widtmann, Matthew Sicoli grounded out to senior shortstop Eli Westrick, and the right-hander struck out Emory star hitter Jack Halloran. Gerdenich was backed into a corner in the ninth, with three of the first four Eagles reaching base safely. Nick Wilson's high chop to third was fielded cleanly, but a Wooster throwing error allowed the tying and winning runs to score.

Wooster tied Thursday's game at one in the top of the fourth inning. Junior pinch runner Andy Heintz scored when sophomore designated hitter Andrew McGowan ripped a one-out single to left field.

Wooster again was looking up at Emory come the eighth inning. Junior third baseman Nick Pett's solo homer tied the game at two. Next, sophomore pinch hitter Dan Hanson's double kept the pressure on, and he scored the go-ahead run when Widtmann roped a single up the middle.

Sam Alswang moved to 1-1 for Emory after working a scoreless ninth inning. Bennett Speicher started for the Eagles and struck out six while allowing a run on four hits in four innings.

Pett went 2-for-3 with the homer to lead Wooster's offense. Emory catcher Blake Dincman was the Eagles' top position player, finishing 2-for-2 with two RBI and a walk.

Wooster concludes its two-week spring trip with a noon game at Emory on Saturday, March 23.