WASHINGTON, Pa. (BC Athletics) – The Bridgewater College baseball team fell short to Scranton in the opening game of the NCAA regionals in a double-elimination format by a final score of 7-2 Friday afternoon.

The Eagles will head into the loser’s bracket of the Washington & Jefferson regional with a matchup against the loser of the 2:30 p.m. game Friday between Chicago and Washington & Jefferson.

Records: BC (33-14), SCR (29-15)

How It Happened
• Both teams were held scoreless to start the game as starting pitching set the tone. Each team left at least one runner in scoring position in an effort to break the standstill. The Eagles broke the silence with a run scored in the third inning as Chandler Valbak drilled a single in the infield to get Nick Stavros around to score with the help of a throwing miscue to the catcher.

• Not too long after did the Scranton Royals respond as an RBI single rang in the top half of the fourth inning. The Eagles threatened in the bottom of the frame with a runner in scoring position, but Scranton’s strong starting pitcher, John DeStefano, held strong and got out of the jam with the fourth groundout.

• The Royals pressed on the gas in the sixth with an RBI single. Soon after, an RBI double crossed home plate for a 3-1 advantage. Cam Nuckols stopped the surging offense to stay within reach. The Eagles had left a runner on base in each inning leading up to the bottom of the sixth. Once again, BC was stopped by dominant starting pitching.

• BC attacked again in the seventh, forcing a pitching change with Nick Stavros on third and Zack Chadwell up to bat. Chadwell answered the call with a single up the middle to knock in Stavros. The Eagles were stopped as they trailed by one run heading into the eighth. SCR added back their insurance run with an RBI single and still charged ahead with momentum.

• The Royals continued to apply offensive pressure in the closing frame with three runs scored off four hits. The Eagles had the last chance to find traction in the final frame. However, the pitching remained solid throughout and closed down the BC bats successfully.

Game Notes
• The Eagles left 11 on base to Scranton’s nine respectively.
• The first four batters combined for eight hits of the team’s 11.
• Cam Nuckols pitched seven innings on three runs, nine hits, and two strikeouts. Scranton’s starting pitcher tossed 6.1 innings with eight strikeouts.

Up Next
The Eagles will await their opponent after the game later today between Chicago and Washington & Jefferson and will play tomorrow at 11 a.m.

— BC Athletics —