DANVILLE, Va. - The No. 13 nationally ranked Bridgewater College baseball team split the twin bill against Averett Saturday, winning the first game, 6-5, and then falling short in the second game, 7-3.  

The Basics 

Game 1 score: No. 13 Bridgewater (BC) 6, Averett (AU) 5 

Game 2 score: Averett (AU) 7, No. 13 Bridgewater (BC) 3 

Records: BC (20-4, 4-4), AU (8-14, 3-7) 

How It Happened 

Game 1

• Although the Eagles struck first, the bats became stagnant against a tough pitching staff from Averett. After the initial lead in the second inning with a run scored by Jakson Walter with bases loaded and a fielding error, BC was stopped in its tracks in the following innings. The Cougars came charging ahead as the pitching held down effectively.  

• In the fifth inning, AU knotted the score at one apiece with an RBI single, and the offense broke open soon after in the next inning. Four additional runs were tacked in the following frame, giving the Cougars full offensive control. The Eagles faced an early fielding mistake allowing AU to get comfortable. Three quick runs were scored after an RBI single and a two-run RBI double to extend the lead at 4-1. The offense did not let up finishing with another run scored and pressuring with bases loaded. BC got out of the jam, letting up four runs while continuing to find an opening at a comeback. 

• The Eagles fought back to cut the deficit to two runs after the eighth inning as Bryce Suters got his hot bat going again with a two-run dinger knocking in Ashton Smith. AU held down the rest of the inning to keep the lead at 5-3. 

• Andrew Baugher shut down the Cougar offense in the eighth inning to set up for a ninth inning comeback rally. Nick Stavros and Zack Chadwell opened the ninth with a pair of singles to apply offensive pressure. Trent Holland stood at the plate, looking for the chance to attack. Holland then added a third single to the frame to get bases loaded. Walter stood at the plate ready to strike. Walter waited for his pitch and got a piece of one to lace a single up the middle, scoring in Stavros and pinch runner Josh Wright for the tie. The Eagles came firing back as Ashton Smith beat out an infield single and brought in Holland on the play to go up 6-5 in the closing inning.  

• Spencer Lloyd received the ball to set up the save opportunity. The Cougars threatened with a runner on second. Lloyd rang up two outs with a lineout and a popout to stay in position for the close. He then walked the next batter. Lloyd forced a groundout to help lift the Eagles past the Cougars in a thrilling ninth inning comeback rally for the 6-5 win. 

Game 2 

• AU broke out to an aggressive start in the second game of the doubleheader with a 3-0 lead after the second inning. BC responded with a run next inning to keep the Cougars within reach as Zack Chadwell smacked a double to center field to bring home Bransen Hensley. AU cut the offensive burst there and held a 3-1 lead.  

• The Cougars boosted their offense in the third inning to collect a fourth run. The Eagles were held at just one run for the next two innings. Another run scored in the third straight inning for AU to extend the advantage to 5-1. A throwing error helped the Cougars capitalize on a four-run lead after five innings. 

• Bryce Suters returned with more active at-bats and sliced a double to right field to knock in Trent Holland. The Eagles remained riding a deficit of three runs at the end of the sixth inning. Hunter Covill then came in to relieve Evan Bert after five innings of grueling work on the mound and sat down the next three consecutive batters to help position the Eagles for an offensive breakthrough.  

• BC gradually fought through the deficit to tack on another run to trim the score to 5-3 as Chandler Valbak scored from a sacrifice fly by Hensley. The Eagles worked their way to bases loaded but stranded the runners to remain down by two runs. 

• AU continued lunging ahead to keep a steady advantage going through seven innings. The Cougars collected two runs with bases loaded to end the frame up by four runs. AU shut down the bats of BC the rest of the way and took the win, 7-3. 

Game Notes 

Game 1 

• The Eagles led in hits with nine to the Cougars' six, respectively. 

• Bryce Suters and Jakson Walter shared two RBIs each as Suters racked up his sixth home run of the season and second-straight game with a home run. Walter has now recorded 24 RBIs so far in his first-year campaign. 

• Andrew Baugher came in to relieve Cam Nuckols and earned the win, pitching two innings along with a strikeout and no runs scored.  Baugher was credited for the win, to collect his second win of the season.  

• Cam Nuckols went six full innings with a final stat line of five hits, four runs, three walks, and four strikeouts.  

Game 2 

• Bridgewater had the edge in hits with 12 hits to AU's 11. The Eagles also left 12 runners on base to AU's eight. 

• Bryce Suters finished the second game with another strong day at the plate, going 3-for-4 with an RBI.  

• Evan Bert went five innings on the mound and struck out six batters while allowing five runs. Bert continues to lead the Eagles in most strikeouts this season with 32.  

Up Next 

The Eagles are back in action on Tuesday, March 31 against Mary Washington on the road beginning at 3 p.m.