SALEM, Va. - In a game that was eerily similar to an earlier season doubleheader between the two teams, the Bridgewater Eagles (32-9) jumped out to a 7-2 lead after three innings before being forced to hold off a late Guilford rally en route to a 7-6 victory over the Quakers.

After a scoreless first inning during which the Eagles put runners at second and third, Guilford responded by putting a run on the board in the second to take a 1-0 lead.

Bridgewater answered with a run of its own in the bottom of the second when a Kristen Combs double to the left field gap scored freshman Aven Thomas to knot the game at one apiece after two.

Guilford took the lead back when a Jenkins wild pitch allowed the runner, Ami Hutcherson, to score from third, giving the Quakers a 2-1 advantage.

In the bottom of the third, Bridgewater took the lead from the Quakers when an Emily Morris shot to centerfield went off of the centerfielders glove and over the collapsable fence to put the Eagles ahead 3-2.

Bridgewater extended its lead when a Quakers miscue allowed Thomas to reach and junior Lauren Childress to score, pushing the BC lead to 4-2.

Freshman Leigh Lam blew the game open when her blast over the left field fence scored Morgan Williams and Thomas to extend the Eagles lead to 7-2.

Following a pair of scoreless frames, the Quakers cut the Eagles lead to three in the sixth when a two-RBI single from Autumn Yoder brought the game to a 7-4 tally.

Guilford knocked in another run later in the frame, when a RBI double to right center plated Yoder to cut the lead to two before a Hutcherson single to third base drove in Brandi Ingram to bring the game to a 7-6 tally.

Bridgewater was put down easily in the sixth, while Guilford tried to complete the comeback, but senior Ashley Gills slammed the door in the seventh to preserve a 7-6 victory for the Eagles.

Morris and Lam led the way for the Eagles at the plate. Morris went 2-for-4 with two RBI, while Lam was 1-for-2 with three RBI.

In the circle, starter Heather Jenkins picked up the victory. Jenkins tossed five and a third of an innings and allowed five runs. Gills picked up the save for the Eagles, tossing the final one and a third innings of work, while striking out two.

Guilford was led at the plate by Hutcherson, Yoder and Kimberly Keys. The trio each had three hits.

Shelby Bowser picked up the loss for the Quakers, allowing all seven runs in two innings of work. Jessica Burcham pitched the final six innings for the Quakers, allowing no runs on four hits.

Guilford struggled in the field early, committing four costly errors while the Eagles were flawless.

Bridgewater plays on Saturday against the loser of this evening's Randolph/Randolph-Macon matchup. Tomorrow's matchup is slated for 11:00 a.m. on field one at the Moyer Complex in Salem, Va.