BRIDGEWATER — Bridgewater carried a three-run lead into the top of the ninth inning against non-conference opponent Mary Washington on Wednesday evening at home.
But everything unraveled from there.
The Eagles surrendered nine runs in the ninth and fell 15-9 in a frustrating loss.
“We just couldn’t throw well enough with a three-run lead,” BC head coach Ben Spotts said. “You get hit a little bit and give up some runs, but in crunch time there, it’s the free bases. Walks, pitching behind, hit-by-pitches — whatever it may be — that’s just going to come back and bite you anytime in baseball.”
Bridgewater used four pitchers in the ninth in an attempt to close it out — Tyler Dyson, Cam Nuckols, Tyler Truslow and Spencer Lloyd.
Across that group, Bridgewater issued four walks, hit two batters and allowed five hits as Mary Washington exploded for nine runs to seal the win.
Spotts said it was a “bullpen” day for Nuckols and he had hoped not to use him with a three-run lead entering the final frame.
But with the bases loaded and no outs, Spotts went to the senior right-hander, who was unable to limit the damage.
Bridgewater’s Nick Stavros throws to first base.
Daniel Lin / DN-R
“You try not to use him because you got a three-run lead there and not a one-run lead,” Spotts said. “I’m thinking, ‘OK, I think we can try to get through this here and manage it,’ but the free bases put us in a bad predicament. It’s not ideal, but it’s kind of the way it played out.”
Mary Washington capitalized after back-to-back walks with two outs when sophomore Ryan Henson launched a three-run home run to left field in the ninth.
Earlier, in the fourth inning, Bridgewater again could not escape trouble with two outs.
Following a double from Mary Washington sophomore Benjamin Rossi, Henson hit his second home run of the game, a two-run shot to center field.
Senior Zack Chadwell’s solo home run in the bottom of the fourth got Bridgewater on the board, and senior Trent Holland added another run on a sacrifice bunt.
Starter Jaden Isidro allowed the five early runs, all coming via the two home runs.
Spotswood High product Andrew Baugher replaced Isidro in the fifth and did not allow a hit over the fifth, sixth and seventh innings, giving Bridgewater a chance to rally.
“I felt like we held them in check other than that offensively and gave us a chance to chip away back into it,” Spotts said. “Andrew came in and kind of calmed it down and did a good job.”
Chadwell’s sacrifice fly in the sixth cut the deficit to two.
Close
Mary Washington’s William Tuttle and Bridgewater’s Bransen Hensley react after a play at second base.
Bridgewater’s Jaden Isidro delivers a pitch to Mary Washington.
Bridgewater watches as their team goes up to bat.
Mary Washington’s Ryan Henson celebrates after hitting a 3-run homer.
Bridgewater’s Bryce Suters makes a catch in deep center field.
Bridgewater’s Bransen Hensley dives back into first base against Mary Washington’s Ryan Henson.
Bridgewater’s Bryce Suters holds off on a pitch from Mary Washington.
Bridgewater’s Nick Stavros throws to first base.
Mary Washington’s William Tuttle makes a catch in center field.
Bridgewater’s Jakson Walter fouls off a pitch from Mary Washington.
Mary Washington’s Cole Powers makes a catch at second base.
Mary Washington’s Benjamin Rossi dives into third base against Bridgewater’s Ashton Smith.
Mary Washington’s William Tuttle and Bridgewater’s Bransen Hensley react after a play at second base.
Bridgewater’s Jaden Isidro delivers a pitch to Mary Washington.
Bridgewater watches as their team goes up to bat.
Mary Washington’s Ryan Henson celebrates after hitting a 3-run homer.
Bridgewater’s Bryce Suters makes a catch in deep center field.
Bridgewater’s Bransen Hensley dives back into first base against Mary Washington’s Ryan Henson.
Bridgewater’s Bryce Suters holds off on a pitch from Mary Washington.
Bridgewater’s Nick Stavros throws to first base.
Mary Washington’s William Tuttle makes a catch in center field.
Bridgewater’s Jakson Walter fouls off a pitch from Mary Washington.
Mary Washington’s Cole Powers makes a catch at second base.
Mary Washington’s Benjamin Rossi dives into third base against Bridgewater’s Ashton Smith.
In the seventh, Bridgewater took its first lead. Junior Chandler Valbak delivered an RBI ground-rule double, and sophomore Bransen Hensley followed with a two-run single.
Mary Washington responded in the eighth when redshirt junior George Rizzo singled home a run to tie the game at 6-6.
Bridgewater answered in the bottom of the eighth with senior TJ Johnson scoring on a wild pitch, an RBI single from senior Nick Stavros and a run-producing out from Hensley.
But Mary Washington’s nine-run ninth inning erased the comeback.
Hensley finished 3 for 5 with three RBIs for Bridgewater. Stavros, Chadwell and Valbak each had two hits.
Despite the loss, Spotts said the team’s resilience stood out.
“We’re fortunate that we got some veteran guys offensively that don’t get rattled too much,” Spotts said. “I think when you’ve got veteran guys who understand the flow of a game that know you’re not going to score six in the first and four in the fifth. You may have to just ride it a little bit and try to chip away. We got down five and got it back to 5-2. Just keeping where it’s within striking distance.”
Bridgewater (29-9) closes the regular season Saturday with an Old Dominion Athletic Conference doubleheader at Hampden-Sydney.
Seeding implications for the ODAC tournament remain in play, but Spotts said his focus is elsewhere.
“We have two goals every year when we start the season,” Spotts said. “We want to make the conference tournament and try to play at home in the first round, if you can. I think playing at home is an advantage for you and something you play the whole season for. That’s something that we’re fighting hard for. That’s a goal of ours. We’re going to go down there this weekend and see what we get ourselves into.”