BRIDGEWATER, Va. - Bridgewater rallied form a 6-1 deficit Wednesday to pull within a single run, but the comeback came up just short as Christopher Newport held on for a 6-5 non-conference victory.

The Captains took the lead with two runs in the top of the second, but the Eagles got one run back in the bottom half of the frame. Hunter Clever led off the bottom of the second inning with a single, but was still at first with two outs. Isaiah Blanks then doubled off the third baseman's glove and, when the throw back into the infield was errant, Clever raced home to put the Eagles on the scoreboard.

CNU (5-1) scored one run in the third inning and two more in the fourth to lead 5-1. The Captains made it 6-1 when Connor Clark led off the top of the sixth inning with a home run to left center.

The Eagles tallied a single run in the bottom of the sixth. Jeffrey Snider walked, stole second and continued to third when the catcher's throw skipped into centerfield. Snider scored on Clever's groundout as the Eagles closed the gap to 6-2.

Bridgewater relief pitchers William Flanagan and Tucker Hrasky combined to blank the Captains over the final three innings to give the Eagles' bats a chance to make some noise.

The Eagles chipped away with a run in the seventh when Jarret Biesecker's two-out single to left scored Blanks, trimming the margin to 6-3.

Another run in the eighth cut the deficit to 6-4. Snider and Clever both walked and Snider scored on a single by Jonathan Sexton. CNU releiver Gray Goodrich retired the next two batters to keep the Captains ahead 6-4.

The Eagles had their chance to complete the comeback in the bottom of the ninth. With one out, Biesecker singled. With two outs, Snider walked and Clever followed with a sinking liner to center that eluded a diving attempt by the centefielder. Biesecker scored on the double, making it a one-run game, 6-5. With the potential tying run at third and the potential winning run at second, Matt Gaither retired Jacob Grabeel on a grounder to short for the final out, preserving the Captains 6-5 victory.

The Eagles finished with nine hits. Grabeel, Clever and Biesecker each contributed two hits. Sexton, Blanks and Mason Mitchell also added base hits. 

Clever started on the mound for BC and pitched a scoreless first. Nick Griffin worked a 1-2-3 fifth inning in his first college appearance. Flanagan allowed no runs in 1.1 innings and Hrasky finished up with 1.2 innings of shutout work. Hrasky struck out four batters.

The Eagles return to action Saturday when they host Emory & Henry for a doubleheader to start conference play. First pich is set for noon.