Shaffer Tosses Two-Hitter in Victory
LYNCHBURG, Va. --- Bridgewater College (21-21)
defeated Hampden-Sydney College (25-18) for the second in as many
days, shutting out the Tigers 7-0 to claim the 2007 title of the
Old Dominion Athletic Conference Championship. The victory
marked the 12th ODAC crown for the Eagles, tops in the
conference all-time.
Right-hander Nolan Shaffer more than made amends for his rough
outing on Friday night, returning the favor by tossing a complete
game shutout, both firsts for him on the season. Shaffer, who
game up five runs in 2.1 innings in a 7-0 loss to HSC on Friday,
gave up only two hits and walked one in nine innings of work.
He fanned six batters to help improve his season record to 4-5.
Hampden-Sydney starter Daniel Hadra couldn't duplicate his shutout
effort from Friday night. The Eagles forced him from the game
in the fourth inning, collecting eight hits and four runs (two
earned) off the HSC righty.
Bridgewater cut down any chance of Hadra's second shutout early
with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first. With two
down, Ricky Read singled back up the middle and moved to second
when Andrew Chrismer reached on a fielding error by the third
baseman. Michael Lenox followed with an RBI single to right
field to bring in Read. Aaron Read blooped one over the
second baseman's head for the third hit of the innings, driving in
Chrismer from second for a 2-0 BC advantage.
The Eagles put another pair on the board in the fourth inning,
chasing Hadra from the game. Brad Buracker singled to second
with one out and stole second base to give BC a runner in scoring
position. Buracker would have scored anyway as Brooks
followed with a triple to right. The Eagles' shortstop came
home on the next play, a single to left by Mike Graves.
Bridgewater tacked on three more insurance runs in the eighth
inning. Chance Dobbs led off with a single and came home to
score two batters later on a double to right by Brooks. Ricky
Read, named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player after the
game, doubled home Brooks with a shot to right for a 6-0 HSC
advantage. Chrismer followed with a single back up the middle
to plate Read for the game's final run.
Ricky Read led all Bridgewater hitters with four hits including a
pair of doubles. He also scored two runs. Brooks had
three hits and two RBI, and Chrismer, Aaron Read and Buracker each
had two hits.
Winning the ODAC championship awards the Eagles an automatic bid
into the NCAA tournament. Play will start in regional action
at a time and location that has yet to be determined.
All-Tournament Team
Pitcher: Larry Greene, Hampden-Sydney
Catcher: Matt Hudgins, Virginia Wesleyan
1st Base: Jon Crews, Lynchburg
2nd Base: Aaron Read, Bridgewater
3rd Base: Daniel Prieto, Hampden-Sydney
Shortstop: Jono Brooks, Bridgewater
Outfield: John Apperson, Hampden-Sydney
Outfield: Mike Graves, Bridgewater
Outfield: Luke Swiney, Hampden-Sydney
Designated Hitter: Michael Lenox, Bridgewater
MOP: Ricky Read, Bridgewater