SALEM, Va. – After an odd start to the day for both teams, the Bridgewater Eagles softball team opened up a 3-1 lead in the fourth before staying alive in the loser's bracket with a 4-2 victory over the Guilford Quakers in action at the ODAC softball tournament.

Guilford put up a run in the home half of the second to open the scoring, putting the Quakers ahead 1-0 after two innings of play.

Following a scoreless third inning, Bridgewater tacked three runs on the board to take a 3-1 lead over the Quakers.

Bridgewater got the scoring started on a Kristen Combs double to the left center field gap, plating senior Drew Rutledge to knot the game at one each. After back-to-back strikeouts left runners on with two outs, senior Hillary Rees drilled a single up the middle to score pinch runner Sarah Goodman and Combs to put the Eagles up 3-1.

Guilford responded with a run of its own in the bottom of the fourth on a Courtney Kozar walk with the sacks full to cut the Eagles lead to 3-2.

In the top of the fifth, the Eagles tallied another run on a Sarah Heretick hit to shallow centerfield which scored Rutledge to put Bridgewater back up two runs at a 4-2 tally.

Both teams had opportunities over the final two-and-a-half innings of play, but neither team added a run to the scoreboard as the Eagles took a 4-2 win over the Quakers.

At the plate, Rutledge's 3-for-4 game led the way, while Rees's 2-for-3 game with a pair of RBI aided the Eagles bats. Combs was also strong at the plate with a 2-for-2 outing with a walk.

In the circle, Heather Jenkins left the bases full after 3.2 innings of work to earn the no-decision. Sophomore reliever Aven Thomas came in to pitch 3.1 innings of shutout ball to earn the victory. Thomas was solid allowing just one hit in the relief role.

Guilford was led offensively by a 2-for-4 outing from Cynthia Hayes.

Quaker hurler Jessica Burcham picked up the loss, going the distance allowing four runs on 10 hits.

Before the two teams even left the hotel, a bus fire on the Quakers bus forced the two teams to ride over together to the James I. Moyer Complex, to allow the game to go off without a hitch.

Bridgewater is back in action this afternoon when the team takes on cross-town rival Eastern Mennonite in the loser's bracket. The game is an elimination game for both teams.