WINCHESTER, Va. – Bridgewater sophomore lefty Corey Armentrout turned in a strong starting performance on the mound Tuesday to lead the Eagles to a 2-1 ODAC victory Shenandoah at Bridgeforth Field.
The victory was the second this season for the Eagles over nationally-ranked Shenandoah. The Hornets entered the game ranked No. 18 in the D3Baseball.com poll and No. 22 in the ABCA/Collegiate Baseball poll.
Armentrout and Hornets lefty Darrell Thompson hooked up in a classic pitcher's duel on the cold and windy afternoon.
The Eagles got to Thompson for their only two runs in the third inning. Cavin Clyde singled to lead off the inning and moved to second on a balk. Nick Fulk then reached on a fielder's choice grounder to the mound. Shenandoah's infield was anticipating a bunt, but Fulk hit a comebacker to the mound and was safe when the first baseman was unable to get back to the bag in time to take the throw.
Bryan Sanderson then put down a sacrifice bunt that was fielded by Thompson who decided to go to third in an effort to cut down the lead runner. Clyde beat the throw and the bases were full with no outs. Jonathan Mason and Andrew Hacker hit back-to-back sacrifice flies to put the Eagles on top, 2-0.
Armentrout kept Shenandoah off the scoreboard until the eighth. Garrett Wooddell led off the inning with a single up the middle to end Armentrout's day. Nick Corbin took over on the mound for the Eagles and retired the next two batters before Corbin Lucas ripped a double down the left-field line to score pinch-runner Lew Johnson, making the score 2-1.
Things got real interesting in the bottom of the ninth as the Hornets loaded the bases against Corbin. The Eagles closer retired the first two hitters before Andrew Creamer and Nick Beall delivered back-to-back singles, keeping Shenandoah's hopes alive. Corbin then walked Johnson to load the bases for Hornets shortstop John Wilt. Wilt hit a slicing line drive to right, but Mason was able to make a running catch to preserve the 2-1 victory.
Armentrout worked seven innings and allowed one run on five hits. He struck out six and walked two. Corbin worked the final two innings to record the saves. He allowed no runs on three hits while walking one batter.
Thompson and Hornets reliever Cameron Lundmark limited the Eagles to just six hits in the game. Yoder was the only BC player with more than one hit as he finished 2-for-4.
Bridgewater is now 17-6 overall and 10-0 in the ODAC. The Hornets fall to 16-7 overall and 8-6 in the ODAC.