Bridgewater College swept a doubleheader on Saturday from
Messiah College, winning both games by identical 9-8 scores.
In the first game, scheduled to be a seven-inning contest, the
Eagles need extra innings to prevail.
After Messiah put one run up in the top of the first, the Eagles
answered with four in the bottom of the inning. Brett Howell and
Andy Chrismer had RBI singles and Kevin Kirk ripped a run-scoring
double.
The Eagles led 8-5 after four innings, but Messiah scored once in
the fifth and two runs in the sixth to tie the score, 8-8.
Aaron Read led off the eight with a double and with one out, Brad
Buracker was walked intentionally. Tyler Hodges then grounded a
single to right to chase home the winning run.
Howell was 3-for-4 with three RBIs and Hodges was 3-for-5. Buracker
was 2-for-4 with three runs scored and Read was also 2-for-4.
Starting pitcher Drew Elkins tossed five solid innings. He allowed
nine hits and six runs, but only two fo the runs were earned. Chris
Gramm allowed two runs over the final three innings to pick up the
win.
The Eagles nearly wasted a fine starting effort by John Sinclair in
the second game before rallying to win.
Sinclair allowed just seven hits and two unearned runs in six
innings and left with a 6-2 lead.
The BC bullpen was unable to hold onto the margin as the Falcons
scored six times in the seventh to lead 8-6.
The Eagles fought back and regained the lead with three runs in the
bottom of the eight. With one out Elkins doubled and he then moved
to third on Buracker's two-out single. Drew Easter walked to load
the bases and Mitchell Edwards walked to force home a run, making
the score 8-7. Lenox then doubled home two runs to put the Eagles
on top 9-8.
Lenox nailed down the save in the ninth, but not before putting
himself in a big jam. With two outs, Lenox walked the bases full,
but then struck out the next batter to preserve the victory.
Lenox was 5-for-6 at the plate with four RBIs to lead the offense.
Easter had three hits while Buracker, Edwards, Howell, Elkins and
Davis Hewitt added two hits each.
The Eagles are now 4-4 overall while Messiah drops to 2-4.
