FERRUM, Va. - Bridgewater's ninth-inning comeback attempt came up short Thursday as the Eagles dropped a 4-2 non-conference baseball game to the Ferrum College Panthers.

The Eagles entered the ninth inning trailing 4-1, but quickly loaded the bases against Ferrum closer Manny Torres.

Zach Hynes reached on a throwing error to lead off the top of the ninth and Darren Yoder walked. Pinch-hitter Justin Petock singled to left to lead the bases with no outs.  Torres hit Cavin Clyde with a pitch to force in a run, making the score 4-2. Torres then induced Derrik Walling to hit a grounder back to the mound and the Panthers turned the 1-2-3 double play. Nick Fulk walked to once again load the sacks, but Torres retired Bryan Sanderson on a grounder to third to preserve the 4-2 victory for the Panthers.

The Eagles took the lead with a run in the top of the fourth. Fulk singled and moved around to third on an errant pickoff throw by the pitcher. Brendan Howell singled Fulk home for a 1-0 Bridgewater lead.

Ferrum answered with two runs in the bottom of the inning. Casey Naff walked to lead off the inning and moved to second on a passed ball. Clay Massie was hit by a pitch and Taylor Davis reached on a bunt single to load the bases with no outs.  Adam Duncan singled to score Naff, tying the score at 1-1 and ending the day for Eagles starter Jordan Showalter. Jeffery Swoope's grounder scored Massie to put the Panthers on top 2-1. Eagles reliever Robert Gallet limited the damage by getting a double-play grounder to end the inning.

The Panthers added two insurance runs in the seventh. With one out, Hank Parsley and Matt Reynolds stroked back-to-back singles to put runners at first and second. Both runners moved up on a wild pitch and Parsley scored on Lane Deaver's groundout for a 3-1 Ferrum lead. Reynolds then raced home on a passed ball to put the Panthers on top 4-1.

Bridgewater managed just three hits against six different Ferrum pitchers. The Eagles had several opportunities to score as the Panthers staff walked seven batters, but Bridgewater stranded 10 runners on the base paths.

Showalter and Gallet combined to allow seven hits. Parsley and Davis had two hits apiece for the Panthers.

Bridgewater, now 7-3, returns to action Saturday when it hosts Virginia Wesleyan for a conference doubleheader. Ferrum is now 8-4 on the season.