BRIDGEWATER, Va. (BC Athletics) – The Bridgewater College softball team wrapped up the regular season with a sweep of Averett on Senior Day as multiple Eagles registered milestones.

GAME 1
Score: Bridgewater 8, Averett 0 (5 innings)
Records: Bridgewater 27-12 (17-4 ODAC); Averett 17-22 (8-13 ODAC)

How It Happened
• Mackenzie Cauthorn started game one for the Eagles and made quick work in the top of the first. BC went down in order in the home half of the first, and AU put the leadoff runner on in the top of the second. A bunt moved the runner into scoring position, but a pair of punchouts by Cauthorn kept the game scoreless.
• Kaelyn Ramsey reached for the Eagles as the team’s first base runner with one away in the bottom of the second, and she stole second right away. BC was not able to push her across, as she was put out on her way to third as the final out of the frame. Averett quickly loaded the bases in the top of the third with a hit by pitch, a walk and an infield hit. Cauthorn and company regrouped with a pop-up to Caroline Malandra at second and a pair of strikeouts from the Eagles’ hurler to retire the side.
• Bridgewater took the goose eggs off the board in the home side of the third. Andrea Savage led the frame off with a single up the middle and a bunt moved her to second. She was put out on her way to third later in the frame, but a Malandra walk and a fielder’s choice put her and Cauthorn on with two gone. McKenna Mueller followed with a double to the wall in left center to drive in the duo and make it 2-0 for the Eagles. Jazmyne Smith followed with a double to the same spot to drive in Mueller and extend the lead. Ramsey joined in with the Eagles’ third-straight double to rive in Smith and make it 4-0 for BC as all was said and done in the third.
• The Cougars went down in order in the top of the fourth, and BC added on as Savage and Hannah Mahan singled to open the frame. Malandra stepped in next and lifted a ball off the top of the wall and over in left field for a three-run shot to make it 7-0. BC extended the lead in the fifth as Byrum doubled, and a walk by Savage put two runners on. Malandra came up with the two runners on and reached on an error by the shortstop that allowed Byrum to round third and score as the ball rolled into the outfield, and the game was called due to the mercy rule.

Match Notes
• Cauthorn (14-5) picked up the victory in game one after going the distance for the Eagles. Her performance moved her into the program’s all-time lists in single-season strikeouts (108, fifth) and complete games (15, 10th) while she also set the single-season record with her 10th shutout of the season.
• Mueller tallied her 100th career hit in her 1-for-3 effort in game one. Savage was the only BC player with multiple hits in the contest, as eight BC starters scored a run or registered a hit in the victory.
• Zabik (11-10) took the loss for AU after allowing four earned runs over the opening 2.2 innings. Bradsher had the Cougars only hit in game two.

GAME 2
Score: Bridgewater 3, Averett 2
Records: Bridgewater 28-12 (18-4 ODAC); Averett 17-23 (8-14 ODAC)

How It Happened
• Averett struck first in game two as they had two runners in scoring position with no outs. A single followed to drive in both runners and made it 2-0 for the visitors. Averett looked to add on to the lead, but AU left two runners in scoring position.
• Cauthorn singled in the first, but BC left her stranded. Averett put a runner on third, but also stranded the potential insurance run.
• BC struck back in the bottom of the third as Savage and Mahan opened the inning with back-to-back hits to put two runners in scoring position with no outs. Malandra followed with a hard-hit ball that took a weird hop to the shortstop and allowed Savage to score and for herself to reach safely to make it 2-1. Cauthorn flew out to advance both runners into scoring position, and Mueller followed suit to allow Maha to tag and score to tie the game heading to the fourth.
• Bridgewater stranded a runner in scoring position in the bottom of the fourth, and Averett left the bases loaded in the top of the fifth after Savage flashed the leather on a fielder’s choice to end the frame with the game tied.
• The Eagles broke the tie in the bottom of the sixth as Mueller drew a walk to open the frame. Smith put down a bunt to move her to second, and Ramsey followed with an absolute bullet to the wall in dead center to score Mueller easily and make it 3-2. Averett put the tying run on with one out in the top of the seventh, but a flyout and a ground ball to Malandra at second secured the senior day sweep.

Match Notes
• Rhoads (9-3) picked up the win for the Eagles after going 6.0 in relief and not allowing a run. Savage led the charge in game two on both sides of the field with a hit and a run scored, while she also contributed to 11 plays for the Eagles defense at the hot corner (seven putouts and four assists).
• Lysohir took the loss after going the distance for the Cougars. Newcomb led the offense as she was the only player on either squad with multiple hits in game two.

Up Next
The Eagles wrap up the regular season and await the official release of the seeding for the ODAC Tournament tomorrow afternoon. BC is currently slotted in the No. 2 spot in the ODAC Tournament meaning they would be the highest seed in Pool B in Salem next weekend in double elimination play starting on Saturday evening.

— BC Athletics —