Box Score BRIDGEWATER, Va. – The Stevenson University baseball game scored in each of the first six innings as it posted a 9-7 non-conference victory over Bridgewater (Va.) College Wednesday afternoon at the Bridgewater Baseball Field.
The Mustangs (14-13) scored single runs in the first and second innings before plating two in the third to take a 4-1 lead. Stevenson tacked on a run in the fourth, then pushed across two runs apiece in the fifth and sixth to lead 9-2. Bridgewater (16-14-1) had single scores in the first, fifth and sixth frames, then tried to get back in the game with two runs in each of the final two innings.
Sophomore Kevin Murray Jr. staked the Mustangs to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first with a solo home run, his first of the season. In the second, a double by Jordan Moore scored Alex Kidwiler, who reached on a fielders' choice and moved into scoring position on a wild pitch.
Senior Billy Small delivered a two-run single through the right side in the third that brought home classmate John D'Aquanno and junior Matt Kerber. Kidwiler scored again in the fourth when he reached on a one-out triple and came in on a sacrifice fly by Jonathan Lugo. D'Aquanno drove in the first run of the fifth when his double plated Kerber, who had worked a leadoff walk, while a single to left with two outs by sophomore Mark Terrell scored Small.
Lugo led off the sixth with a solo shot, his first of the season, while Murray drove in the final run with a single that brought in Anthony Millington.
After scoring two runs in the eighth to move within 9-5, the Eagles brought the winning run to the plate in the ninth after scoring two more times, but a popup to second ended the game.
The Mustangs, who outhit Bridgewater 13-11, got at least one hit from everyone in their lineup. Terrell led Stevenson by going 3-5, while Murray and D'Aquanno finished with two hits apiece.
Freshman Ryan Smith, making his collegiate debut, earned the victory, going 5.1 innings and scattering seven hits and allowing three runs, striking out five and walking two. The Mustangs used four relievers, with junior CJ Kilpatrick tossing 1.2 innings of hitless relief after coming in for Smith in the sixth.
Stevenson returns to MAC Commonwealth action Friday when it travels to Messiah to begin a three-game weekend series with the Falcons, with first pitch slated for 3:30 pm.
