Kevin Chandler pitched a complete-game five-hitter Thursday and the Eagles pushed across an unearned run in the bottom of the ninth inning to defeat Guilford, 2-1, in the opening round of the ODAC baseball tournament at Lynchburg’s City Stadium.
Chandler and Quakers’ righthander Will James dominated in a classic pitcher’s duel with James also going the distance, allowing just six hits and one earned run.
Guilford jumped on top with its only run in the top of the first. Chandler walked leadoff batter Jordam Slate and Slate then moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by D.J. Phillips. With two outs, Kent Peterson lined a double to the gap in left-center field for a 1-0 Quakers lead.
The Eagles tied the score with a run in the bottom of the third. Jay Thompson led off with an infield single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Darren Yoder. Snow singled to put runners at the corners and Thompson scored on a sacrifice fly by Nick Fulk, tying the score at one apiece.
The Quakers had a runner reach second in three different innings against Chandler, but each time the BC righthander worked out of the inning. Guilford’s best chance came in the fifth when Slate singled with two outs and stole second. Phillips then singled to left, but BC right-fielder Fulk threw out Slate at the plate to end the inning and preserve the 1-1 tie.
After giving up the run in the third, James held the Eagles hitless until the ninth. Snow led off the ninth with a bunt single and took second on a throwing error on the play. Fulk then put down a perfect bunt toward first that was fielded by James. James’ throw to first sailed into the outfield, allowing Snow to score the winning run.
Chandler improved to 7-1 on the season with his conference leading fifth complete game of the season.
Snow led the offense as he collected three of Bridgewater’s six hits.
Bridgewater will play Friday evening at 7:00 p.m. against the winner of Thursday’s Randolph-Macon vs. Emory & Henry game.
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