Box Score DANVILLE, Va. – Bridgewater opened its baseball season Wednesday afternoon with a 5-1 non-conference victory over the Averett University Cougars at Owen-Fulton Field.
Senior lefty Ryan Leake picked up the victory of the Eagles with five shutout innings. Leake allowed just three hits while striking out four and walking just one. Justin Petock followed and did not allow a hit in his two innings of work. Ian Mayes pitched the eighth and did not allow a hit while walking one and striking out one. Steven Woerner came on in the ninth and finished up, allowing Averett's only run.
The Eagles broke a scoreless tie with a run in the top of the fourth. Kenner Berry singled with one out, but was erased on a force play at second on Brendan Howell's grounder. With two outs, Howell raced around to score on a double to left by Cavin Clyde to put the Eagles on top 1-0.
Bridgewater added two more runs in the sixth. Howell belted a solo homer to right field with one out, giving the Eagles a 2-0 lead. Austin Batten singled with two outs and moved into scoring position by stealing second. Batten scored on a single by Hunter Hensley for a 3-0 Bridgewater lead.
The Eagles tacked on a pair of insurance runs in the top of the ninth inning. Parker Mead reached on a single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Dylan Horne. Brandon Poole then reached on an infield error, putting runners at the corners. Leake chased Mead home with a double, giving the Eagles a 4-0 lead. With runners at second and third, Berry drove home Poole with a single to make it 5-0.
Averett (1-1) avoided the shutout with a run in the ninth on a run-scoring double by Drew Evans.
Bridgewater ended the contest with 13 hits. Berry was 3-for-5 with one run batted in while Leake, Clyde and Mead each added a pair of hits.
The Eagles are back in action this weekend with four games scheduled in two days. Saturday, Mount Saint Vincent visits for a doubleheader with action beginning at noon. Sunday, the Eagles host Juniata College for a twinbill. Sunday's first game begins at noon.
