SALEM, Va. --- After an odd start to the
day for both teams, the Bridgewater Eagles softball team opened up
a 3-1 lead in the fourth before staying alive in the loser's
bracket with a 4-2 victory over the Guilford Quakers in action at
the ODAC softball tournament.
Guilford put up a run in the home half of the second to open the
scoring, putting the Quakers ahead 1-0 after two innings of
play.
Following a scoreless third inning, Bridgewater tacked three runs
on the board to take a 3-1 lead over the Quakers.
Bridgewater got the scoring started on a Kristen
Combs double to the left center field gap, plating
senior Drew
Rutledge to knot the game at one each. After back-to-back
strikeouts left runners on with two outs, seniorHillary
Rees drilled a single up the middle to score pinch
runner Sarah
Goodman and Combs to put the Eagles up 3-1.
Guilford responded with a run of its own in the bottom of the
fourth on a Courtney Kozar walk with the sacks full to cut the
Eagles lead to 3-2.
In the top of the fifth, the Eagles tallied another run on
a Sarah
Heretick hit to shallow centerfield which scored Rutledge
to put Bridgewater back up two runs at a 4-2 tally.
Both teams had opportunities over the final two-and-a-half innings
of play, but neither team added a run to the scoreboard as the
Eagles took a 4-2 win over the Quakers.
At the plate, Rutledge's 3-for-4 game led the way, while Rees's
2-for-3 game with a pair of RBI aided the Eagles bats. Combs was
also strong at the plate with a 2-for-2 outing with a walk.
In the circle, Heather
Jenkins left the bases full after 3.2 innings of work to
earn the no-decision. Sophomore reliever Aven
Thomas came in to pitch 3.1 innings of shutout ball to
earn the victory. Thomas was solid allowing just one hit
in the relief role.
Guilford was led offensively by a 2-for-4 outing from Cynthia
Hayes.
Quaker hurler Jessica Burcham picked up the loss, going the
distance allowing four runs on 10 hits.
Bridgewater is back in action this afternoon when the team takes on
cross-town rival Eastern Mennonite in the loser's bracket. The game
is an elimination game for both teams.
This release is courtesy of the Bridgewater College
sports information department.