HARRISONBURG, Va. - Bridgewater rode a solid pitching performance from freshman Brooke Louden to defeat Eastern Mennonite, 5-3, in the second game of Wednesday's ODAC doubleheader at EMU's Gehman Field. The victory allowed the Eagles to salvage a split as the Royals won the opener 8-2.

Louden went the distance in the second game and allowed three runs on nine hits, The Eagles defense was also solid, committing just one error.

The Royals took the lead with two runs in the bottom of the third, but the Eagles responded with two runs in the top of the fourth to tie the score.

Mikalia Guard walked to lead off the inning and Carlita Tibbs followed with a bunt single. After Katie Merhout grounded out, Lacey Shifflett reached on a fielder's choice to load the bases. Jessica Dawson walked to force in a run and Stephanie Carroll plated Tibbs with a single through the right side of the infield to pull the Eagles even at 2-2.

Bridgewater took the lead with two runs in the fifth. With two outs, Tibbs was safe on an error and Merhout followed with a single to put runners at first and second. Both runners scored on Shifflett's double to the gap in right center, giving the Eagles a 4-2 edge.

Bridgewater tacked on an insurance run in the sixth. Ryan Kirtner led off with a single and walks to Lindsey Talley and Guard loaded the bases with one out. Kirtner scored from third on a wild pitch to put the Eagles up 5-2.

The Royals pulled closer on Cassidy Chrisman's run-scoring single in the bottom of the sixth to make the score 5-3.

Louden walked the leadoff batter in the seventh before retiring the next three hitters to close out the 5-3 win.

Bridgewater took a 1-0 lead in the opener on Tibbs' run-scoring hit in the top of the first inning, but the Royals took control with four runs in the bottom of the second. Alexa Sheets delivered the key blow for EMU with a two-run double. 

Run-scoring doubles in the third inning by Sydney Reath and Savannah Jones pushed the Royals' advantage to 6-1. 

Single runs in the fifth and sixth innings gave EMU an 8-1 lead, before the Eagles got on the board again in the seventh for their final run.

Dawson singled to lead off the inning and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. Dawson scored on Talley's single up the middle, making the final score 8-2.

Bridgewater, now 8-18 overall and 3-7 in the ODAC, faces a busy weekend at home. Bridgewater hosts Guilford College for a twinbill on Saturday and then returns to Fulk Field on Sunday fro two games against Emory & Henry.