BRIDGEWATER, Va. - The race for the top spot in the ODAC standings tightened up Friday afternoon when the Washington and Lee Generals defeated Bridgewater College, 10-5.

The loss was just the second in the conference for the Eagles, now 9-2 in ODAC games. Washington and Lee is just one-half game in back of the Eagles with a 9-3 conference mark.

Washington and Lee (now 12-10 overall) jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first. With two outs, Alex Maragos doubled home the first run of the game and Will Salley followed with a run-scoring double, making it 2-0. Salley raced home on a single by Luke Deary for a 3-0 W&L lead.

The Generals added a run in the second to make it 4-0, but the Eagles tied the score with four runs in the bottom of the fourth.

Jonathan Mason singled with one out in the fourth and Brett Howell walked. Both runners moved up on a passed ball before Jake Wade singled to drive home Mason for the Eagles' first run. Jay Thompson then singled to center with Howell scoring to trim the deficit to 4-2. Wade then scored on an errant pickoff attempt at first with Thompson advancing from first to third on the play as the Eagles pulled to within 4-3. Thompson then scored on Alex Nuttycombe's grounder to short, tying the score at 4-4.

The Eagles manufactured a run in the fifth to take the lead. Kevin Kirk walked, stole second and moved to third on Mason's groundout. Howell was hit by a pitch and then stole second, putting runners at second and third. Kirk scored on Wade's sacrifice fly to give the Eagles a 5-4 lead.

Freshman right-hander Tyler Slanovec entered in the second inning with two outs and blanked the Generals for 4.1 innings. Slanovec allowed just three hits and struck out four during his stellar relief effort.

W&L regained the lead in the eight with a pair of runs. Salley led off with a single, stole second and scored on a single by Deary to tie the score at 5-5. Deary advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a single by Chas Straface, giving the Generals a 6-5 lead.

The Generals added plenty of insurance in the ninth, adding four more runs to close out the 10-5 victory.

The Eagles managed just five hits in the game with Wade leading the way with a 2-for-3 day and two RBIs.

The Eagles return to action tomorrow when they host Emory & Henry for a conference doubleheader. The first game is scheduled to begin at noon.