LYNCHBURG, Va. (BC Athletics) – The No. 5 seeded Bridgewater College baseball team dropped out of the ODAC Tournament falling to the No. 4 seed Lynchburg in two games.

THE BASICS

Final Score:
Game one: Lynchburg 9, Bridgewater 4
Game two: Lynchburg 5, Bridgewater 2
Records: Bridgewater 25-16, Lynchburg 27-15

HOW IT HAPPENED

Game One
• The Hornets started out the scoring with Brandon Garcia and Benton Jones scoring off a Quinn Madden triple to right center field. Joe Christopher worked his way out of the inning with getting the next three outs and stranding the runner at third base.
• Jeffrey Snider began the top of the fifth inning driving a single up the middle, then stole second on a failed pickoff attempt to get into scoring position. Lucas Bauer put the first run on the scoreboard for the Eagles singling to right center to score Snider and make it 2-1.
• Christopher worked his way out of a jam in the bottom of the sixth inning with Garcia, Jones and Eric Hiett all reaching base safely. The last out came when Chirstopher got the last batter out with a fly out to center field maintaining the score at 2-1.
• Lynchburg rallied for seven runs in the home half of the seventh inning with the leadoff batter reaching second with a double to right field. A bunt turned into an error plated the first run of the inning then was followed up by single and another error to score two more runs. Four more runs came across later in the inning to make it 9-1.
• Bauer rushed the pitcher into a throwing error to start the top of the eighth inning. Nick Stavros drew a walk to put runners on first and second. Jonathan Sexton recorded the first hit of the inning singling up the middle to plate Bauer, then Ashton Smith hit a rocket to right center field to put another run on the board for BC. Christian Harris hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score the last run and make it 9-4.
• The Bridgewater offense tried to muster up some offense in the in the top of the ninth but the Hornets closed it out taking game one 9-4.

GAME STATS
• Christopher was effective in his start on the mound, but was strapped with the loss, going 6.0 innings allowing just two runs (all earned) on three hits and striking out two.
• Christian Harris went 1-for-2 at the plate including an RBI and a walk.
• Sexton and Smith each recorded 1-for-3 da each having an RBI while Bauer went 1-for-4 to also have an RBI.
• Madden went 2-for-3 with a triple and drove in three runs for Lynchburg.
• Wes Arrington got the win after going 6.2 innings allowing just one run on three hits with eight strike outs.

Game Two
• Snider opened up game two driving the ball up the middle for a leadoff hit then was advanced when Bauer singled to left field. Brandan Hartman opened up the scoring for the Eagles poking a ball through the 5-6 hole to make it 1-0 early.
• The Hornets responded in the bottom of the first with the leadoff batter drawing a walk then back-to-back singles from the offense helped knot the score at 1-1. A huge 6-4-3 double play for BC’s defense helped the team get out of the inning.
• Bridgewater’s offense threatened in top of the sixth with Stavros hitting a deep shot to right field to register a double. Jonathan Sexton continued the offensive attack with a single to the same side putting a runner 90 feet away from home. Lynchburg halted the Eagles’ attack by getting three consecutive outs after the hits to keep the game tied.
• Just like the first game, the Hornets had a multi-run inning in the bottom of the seventh with O’Kelly McWilliams hitting a triple with one out on the ledger. The tie broke when Garcia drove a single through the right side then stole second base. Riley O’Donovan singled up the middle for another run to come across it was followed with another triple from Lynchburg brought home two more runs to make it 5-1.
• Christian Harris began the top of the ninth blasting a double to left center field to try and start a comeback for BC. Gordon registered an RBI with a hit to right field, but Bridgewater could not string anything else together leading the Hornets to win 5-2.

GAME STATS
• Christian Harris went 2-for-4 with a double while also scoring a run in the second game. Bauer also tallied a multi-hit game going 2-for-5.
• Hartman and Gordon each had recorded an RBI in game two.
• James Swart got the start on the mound and was very efficient allowing just one run on five hits and striking out six. Andrew Baugher registered his first loss of the season pitching in relief. Nick Griffin was solid in relief going 1.1 innings striking out three and allowing nothing.
• Nick Mattfield registered the win throwing 7.0 innings allowing just one run on seven hits and striking out four.
The Eagles wrap up the 2024 season with a 25-16 record marking one of the best winning percentages for head coach Ben Spotts.

— BC Athletics —