Ferrum knocks off BC in 11 innings

Ferrum College pushed across an unearned run in the top of the 11th Tuesday to defeat Bridgewater College 2-1 in non-conference baseball action.

Pitching dominated as each team pushed across a run in their first at bat and then the pitching staffs posted zeroes for the next nine innings.

In the top of the first, Jason Parker led off with a single and moved all the way to third on a sacrifice bunt by Daniel Alvarez. Parker scored on a grounder to short by Brenan Iley to put the Panthers on the board.

The Eagles answered in the bottom of the inning. Bryan Sanderson led off and was hit by a pitch. He moved to second on a sac bunt by Devon Snow and scored on a double by Jay Thompson to knot the score at 1-1.

Bridgewater starter Kevin Chandler and Ferrum starter Tyler Easterly then locked up in a classic duel. Chandler worked six innings and allowed one run on four hits. He struck out three and walked two. Easterly also pitched six innings and allowed one run on three hits. He struck out six and walked one.

The Eagles had their best chance to take the lead in the sixth when Thompson singled and moved to second when Andrew Hacker reached on an error. Both runners moved up on a passed ball, but Easterly struck out the next two batters to work out of the jam.

Freshman lefty Corey Armentrout took over for Chandler and cruised into the 11th, allowing just one hit in four innings.

Alvarez walked to leadoff the 11th and Iley was hit by a pitch. Both runners moved up on a sacrifice bunt before Paul Jaglowski was intentionally walked to load the bases. Relief pitcher Tyler Slanovec retired Taryn Hayden on a chopper to the mound as the Eagles recorded the force at home for the second out of the inning. Eddie McGrath then grounded a 3-2 pitch to third, but Thompson was unable to field the ball cleanly as the go-ahead run scored.

Armentrout was tagged with the loss, despite allowing just one hit in four-plus innings. He struck out three and walked two.

Jaen Metz worked the final two frames to pick up the win for Ferrum, now 3-1 on the season.

The Eagles, now 2-1, travel to Newport News this weekend for a Saturday game at Apprentice School and a Sunday matchup with nationally-ranked Christopher Newport.