BRIDGEWATER, Va. – Bridgewater College closed out its regular season Saturday afternoon by sweeping both ends of a doubleheader from Wesley College, winning the opener 7-4 and taking the nightcap 3-1.
With the two victories, the Eagles improve to 33-11 on the season, a new program record for wins in a season.
The Eagles got on the board first in the opener with a run in the bottom of the third inning on a solo homer by Jonathan Mason, his ninth of the season.
The Wolverines took the lead with two runs in the fourth against Eagles starter Joseph Lucas. Corey Smith chased home the first run with a double to right and a run-scoring single by Morgan Rupp gave Wesley a 2-1 lead.
The lead didn't last long as the Eagles responded with three runs in the bottom half of the inning. With one out, Christian Armstrong singled and moved to second on a two-out single by Zach Hynes. Armstrong scored on an error, tying the score at 2-2. Another Wesley error kept the inning alive and allowed Hynes to score, giving the Eagles a 3-2 lead. Bryan Sanderson then walked to load the bases and a walk to Mason forced home a run for a 4-2 Bridgewater lead.
The Eagles added two more runs in the seventh. Derrik Walling singled with one out and Armstrong was hit by a pitch. Pinch-hitter Brendan Howell singled home Walling to put the Eagles on top 6-2. Armstrong also scored on the play when the throw in from the outfield bounced away, making the score 7-2.
Wesley scored a pair of runs in the eighth to make it 7-4, but Nick Corbin came out of the pen and retired the Wolverines in the ninth to preserve the victory.
Lucas picked up the victory to improve to 6-2 this season. The senior lefty allowed two runs on three hits. He struck out three and did not walk a batter.
Corbin did not allow a hit in the ninth to record his fourth save of the season.
The Eagles finished with eight hits in the first game. Walling and Armstrong led the way with two hits each.
In the second game, three Bridgewater pitchers combined on a four-hitter in the 3-1 victory.
Wesley scored its lone run in the third off Eagles starter Mark Smith. Matt Robles reached on a one-out single and stole second base. He moved to third on a wild pitch and then scored on another wild pitch for a 1-0 Wolverines lead.
Wesley starter Zach Stuart blanked the Eagles for the first five innings, but the Eagles finally reached Stuart with three runs in the sixth inning.
Mason walked to lead off the inning and moved to third on a hit-and-run single by Andrew Hacker. Walling then singled to center, scoring Mason to tie the score at 1-1. With runners at first and second, a wild pitch moved the runners up a base. Matt Maher then singled to center, scoring Hacker with the go-ahead run. Hynes walked to load the sacks and Tyler Hoffman was hit by a pitch, allowing Walling to score for a 3-1 Eagles lead.
Smith was solid in his starting role. The senior allowed one run on three hits. He struck out four and walked one batter.
Robert Gallet picked up the win with three stellar innings of relief. Gallet allowed no hits while striking out three and walking one.
Corey Armentrout worked the final three innings to pick up his second save of the season. He allowed one hit, an infield single, while striking out three. He did not walk a batter.
The Eagles managed eight hits in the second game with Maher and Armstrong finishing with two hits each.