BRIDGEWATER, Va. – Virginia Wesleyan scored nine runs in the top of the second inning and the Marlins went on to post a 17-7 conference victory Friday afternoon over Bridgewater College.

The Eagles scored two runs in the bottom of the first to take an early lead.

With one out in the first, Cavin Clyde doubled to left and Ryan Leake followed with a walk. Kenner Berry grounded a single through the left side of the infield, scoring Clyde with the first run of the game. Leake moved to third on Berry's single when the left fielder misplayed the ball and scored on a sacrifice fly by Brendan Howell for a 2-0 Eagles lead.

With one out in the top of the second inning, the Marlins got one run back on an opposite-field, solo homer by Randy Neisz. The next hitter, Brandon Kussmaul lined a hit up the middle that ricocheted off the leg of Eagles' starting pitcher Brady Cockerham. The BC lefty was unable to continue, bringing Kyle Jones in from the bullpen.

Matt Murray greeted Jones with a single and C.J. Lindsay followed with a two-run double, giving the Marlins a 3-2 lead. After a walk to Corey King, the Eagles went to the pen again, this time for senior Justin Petock. Justin Erby, the first batter to face Petock, hit a potential inning-ending, double play ball to third, but Clyde was unable to field the ball cleanly, allowing Lindsay to score, making it 4-2. Dean Hammond was hit by a pitch to load the bases and the next batter, Nik Milvo hit a grounder to first. Brendan Howell's throw home was in the dirt and King scored to push the lead to 5-2. Taylor Erby then cleared the sacks with a grand-slam homer to left, giving the Marlins a 9-2 lead.

Austin Gammon entered the game to pitch for the Marlins to start the bottom of the second and pitched four scoreless innings as the lead grew to 17-2.

Bridgewater scored three times in the sixth. Austin Batten led off with a single and Clyde followed with a double. Both scored on a single up the middle by Leake to make it 17-4. Leake moved to second on a groundout and scored on a single to right by Brett Jones, making the score 17-5.

The Eagles scored their final two runs in the eighth. Jones led off the inning with a double and scored on a double by Parker Mead. Mead moved to third on a single by Dylan Horne and scored on a groundout by Josh Lasam for Bridgewater's final run.

Bridgewater's finished the game with 13 hits. Batten led the Eagles with a 3-for-5 day at the plate. Clyde, Jones and Damian Reed each added a pair of hits.

The Eagles are now 12-8 overall and 3-3 in the ODAC. The Marlins improve to 11-5, 5-1 in the conference.

Bridgewater is back in action Tuesday when the Eagles travel to Winchester to play Shenandoah University in ODAC action. Game time is set for 4:00 p.m.