LYNCHBURG, Va. - Bridgewater College had the tying runs on base in the top of the ninth, but Randolph-Macon held on for a 6-4 victory in the opening round of the ODAC baseball tournament Thursday evening at Lynchburg's City Stadium.

The Eagles will return to action early Friday afternoon at 1:30 when they face the tourney's No. 1 seed, Shenandoah University. Shenandoah defeated Eastern Mennonite 11-3 in Thursday's opening game.

Randolph-Macon struck early with four runs in the bottom of the first inning. The Yellow Jackets bunched together five hits, along with one walk and one hit batsman to take the early lead.

The Yellow Jackets made it 5-0 with a run in the fourth. Macon took advantage of an Eagles' error and scored on a run-scoring double by Rick Spiers.

The Eagles finally broke the ice in the seventh on a sacrifice fly by Darren Yoder, but the Yellow Jackets responded with a run in the bottom of the seventh on back-to-back doubles by Mitchell Keeler and Stuart Brown to lead 6-1.

Bridgewater continued to  battle, scoring two runs in the eighth off Macon reliever Christian Cok. Brendan Howell singled and Cavin Clyde was hit by a pitch, putting runners at first and second. Both scored on a double by Brandon Poole as the Eagles pulled to within 6-3.

The Eagles threatened in the ninth against closer J.T. Williamson. With one out, consecutive singles by Austin Batten and Yoder put two runners on. Batten then scored on a single by Kenner Berry, making the score 6-4. Williamson retired the next two batters on a fly ball to left and a slow roller back to the mound to preserve the 6-4 victory.

Macon ace James Walsh picked up the victory with seven strong innings. He allowed just one unearned run on five hits. 

Bridgewater received a strong relief effort from lefty Brady Cockerham. Cockerham kept the Eagles in contention with five innings of work. He allowed two runs, one earned, on four hits.

The Eagles had opportunties throughout the contest, but managed just two hits in 14 at-bats with runners in scoring position.