FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Bridgewater College scored three runs in the eighth and two more in the bottom of the ninth to win its season-opener over DeSales, 9-8, Saturday at Methodist.

DeSales nicked Eagles starter Samuel Imeson for a run in the top of the first, but the Eagles scored two runs in the second and two more in the third to lead 4-1.

Jake Bailey led off the second with a single and Brett Jones doubled to put two runners in scoring position. Freshman Jacob Talley plated both runners with a single down the left-field line to put the Eagles on top 2-1.

Parker Mead led off the third with a walk and stole second. Kenner Berry then walked to put runners at first and second. Mead and Berry pulled off a double steal and Mead scored on a single by Chris King, making the score 3-1. Berry made it 4-1 as he scored when Bailey grounded into a double play.

Imeson gave the Eagles five solid innings on the mound and left with the 4-1 lead. The sophomore lefty allowed one run on three hits while striking out five and walking three.

DeSales rallied against the Eagles bullpen and tied the score with three runs in the sixth and then took the lead with four runs in the seventh.

Bridgewater battled back with three runs in the eighth. Singles by Bailey and Talley put two runners on with one out. Freshman Luke Paczewski chased both runners home with a triple to pull the Eagles to within 8-6. Paczewski scored on a groundout by Josh Lasam, making the score 8-7.

Mead led off the winning rally with a walk in the bottom of the ninth and scored the tying run on a double by Berry. DeSales walked Bailey and Jones, both intentionally, to load the bases and Talley plated the winning run with a sacrifice fly to center to cap off the 9-8 victory.

Brett Jones led the offense with a 3-for-4 day at the plate. Bailey and Paczewski each finished 2-for-4 while Talley was 2-for-3 with three RBIs.

Kyle Jones picked up the win on the mound with 2.1 innings of shutout relief. He allowed one hit and walked one batter.