Eagles Eliminate Marlins, 4-3
Graves’ Single in 12^th Wins It for Bridgewater
April 28, 2007  -  Box Score

LYNCHBURG, Va. --- Bridgewater College (19-21) centerfielder Mike Graves singled with one out in the 12^th inning to drive in the winning run in a 4-3 victory over Virginia Wesleyan College (23-17) in the 2007 Old Dominion Athletic Conference Baseball Championship.

Chance Dobbs led off the bottom of the 12^th with a double to left, and was lifted for pinch runner, Drew Easter.  Quinn Bright sacrificed Easter to third, and Jono Brooks was intentionally walked to setup a possible double play.  Graves, who had three hits in six at-bats for the Eagles, drove a fastball over the outstretched glove of the Marlins’ second baseman into right-center field for the game winning single.

Both starting pitchers were outstanding in extended appearances.  The Virginia Wesleyan’s Chris Rivera tossed 11 innings, scattering 10 hits and walking one while giving up three runs, two earned.  He also struck out eight batters.

Bridgewater lefty Matt Nolen was just as good, giving up two runs, both earned, on 10 hits in 9.2 innings of work.  He walked one batter and fanned five.  Bright picked up the win for the Eagles, improving to 4-4 after throwing a scoreless 12^th inning.

Graves led all Eagles’ hitters with three basehits.  Andrew Chrismer, Aaron Read and Dobbs each had two.  Dobbs also had an excellent game in the field at third base.  In the third inning, he made a diving catch along the third base line of a popped up bunt and threw across the diamond from his knees to double-up the runner off first base.

C.J. Rhodes and Phil Cadle had three hits for the Marlins while catcher Matt Hudgins had two.  Left fielder Ricky Allred cracked his third homer of the season in the seventh inning.

The Eagles advance to play Hampden-Sydney later on Saturday at 7:00 p.m.