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  • Bowman, Butler named to VaSID All-State team - 06/11/2008

  • Kaitlyn BowmanCaity ButlerBridgewater College juniors Kaitlyn Bowman and Caity Butler were selected to the VaSID All-State College Division softball team released Wednesday. Bowman was named to the first team in the outfield and Butler was named to the utility position on the second team.

    Bowman and Butler were both first-team All-ODAC picks and first-team All-Atlantic Region selections.

    Lynchburg College swept the major awards on the VaSID team. Elizabeth Perkins was named Player of the Year, Katie Bruce was Rookie of the Year and Dawn Simmons received the Coach of the Year honor.
  • Bowman, Butler add All-Region honors - 05/06/2008

  • Kaitlyn BowmanCaity ButlerBridgewater College juniors Caity Butler and Kaitlyn Bowman were named to the Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-Atlantic Region softball first team released Tuesday.

    Bulter was named to the first team as a utility player while Bowman was one of the at-large selections to the first team.

    Bowman led the Eagles in hitting this season with a .403 average. She finished with eight homers and 34 RBIs. Butler hit .370 for the Eagles with eight homers and a team-high 42 RBIs.

    Butler earned the first-team all-region honor for the second straight year. Bowman was a first-team all-region selection in 2006 and a second-team pick in 2007. [NFCA All-Region Teams]
  • Bowman, Butler named to All-ODAC First Team - 05/02/2008

  • Kaitlyn BowmanCaity ButlerBridgewater College placed two players on the All-ODAC softball first team released Friday by the conference office.

    Junior outfielder Kaitlyn Bowman and junior utility player Caity Butler were named to the first team. Senior outfielder Jennifer Hall received All-ODAC honorable mention.

    Bowman led the Eagles in hitting this season with a .403 average. She finished with eight homers and 34 RBIs.

    Butler hit .370 for the Eagles with eight homers and a team-high 42 RBIs.

    Hall hit .310 for the Eagles with 31 runs scored. [All-ODAC Softball Team]
  • Eagles land three on all-tournament team - 04/27/2008

  • ODAC softball logoBridgewater College placed three players on the ODAC All-Tournament team announced Sunday at the conclusion of the conference tournament.

    Junior outfielder Kaitlyn Bowman, freshman second baseman Emily Morris and freshman third baseman Lauren Childress were named to the all-tourney squad.

    Bowman led all hitters in the tournament, hitting for a .571 average in four games. Morris hit .429 and Childress hit .333 in the tournament.
  • Eagles fall to Marlins, 4-1 - 04/26/2008

  • ODAC softball logoThe Bridgewater softball team watched its season come to an end Saturday night as the Eagles dropped a 4-1 decision to Virginia Wesleyan.

    The Marlins led 2-0 after scoring a single run in the top of the fifth, but the Eagles answered with a run in the bottom of the fifth to get on the board.

    Laura Barry singled to lead off the fifth and Drew Rutledge followed with a single, advancing pinch-runner Jessica Dunn to second. Dunn scored on a single by Jennifer Hall, making the score 2-1.

    The Marlins added a pair of key insurance runs in the top of the seventh and the Eagles went down in order in the bottom of the inning.

    The Eagles finish the season with a 25-15 overall record.
  • Eagles eliminate Guilford, 6-5 - 04/26/2008

  • img src="/images/sports/softball/08softlogo.jpg" border=1 align=right alt="ODAC softball logo">Bridgewater College pushed across a run in the bottom of the seventh inning to defeat Guilford, 6-5, and stay alive at the ODAC softball tournament.

    The Eagles took a 5-2 lead into the seventh, but the Quakers battled back and tied the score.

    Kaitlyn Bowman and Caity Butler singled to lead off the bottom of the seventh and Lauren Childress followed with an infield single. Bowman scored on a throwing error on the play for the winning run.

    Bowman led the Bridgewater offense with a 4-for-4 effort with two runs score and two RBIs. Childress, Jennifer Hall and Emily Morris added two hits each.

    The Eagles will play Virginia Wesleyan at 6 p.m. Saturday in an elimination game. The Marlins eliminated Roanoke, 1-0, Saturday.
  • Eagles go 1-1 at ODAC tournament - 04/26/2008

  • ODAC softball logoThe Brdgewater softball team won its opener Friday before being sent to the loser's bracket by Lynchburg College.

    The Eagles defeated Roanoke 5-4 in an 11-inning marathon before losing the No. 1 seed Lynchburg 15-7.

    Jordan Burkholder drove home the winning run in the top of the 11th to lift the Eagles to the victory. Emily Morris and Kaitlyn Bowman were both 2-for-4 and Caity Butler drove home two runs.

    Ashley Gills pitched 10 stellar innings to earn the victory and Becky Schmidt hurled to the 11th inning to pick up the save. In the nightcap, Lynchburg belted four homers in the bottom of the first to take a 7-1 lead.

    Bridgewater battled back to within two, 9-7, on Bowman's three-run homer in the fourth, but the Maroons were able to pull away again for the victory.

    The Eagles meet Guilford on Saturday at noon in an elimination game.
  • Eagles meet Roanoke in first round - 04/23/2008

  • ODAC sblogoBridgewater College, seeded No. 5, will meet No. 4 seed Roanoke College in the opening round of the ODAC softball tournament Friday at 5 p.m.

    The Eagles and Roanoke split a doubleheader during the regular season. The Eagles won the first game of the doubleheader 9-6 while the Maroons took the second game, 9-1. Bridgewater is 23-13 overall while the Maroons are 28-8.

    If the Eagles defeat Roanoke, they will play No. 1 seed Lynchburg at 7:00 p.m. Friday night. If the Eagles lose to Roanoke, they will play Saturday at noon.

    All game will be played at the Moyer Sports Complex in Salem.
  • Eagles drop doubleheader to Marlins - 04/19/2008

  • Caity ButlerVirginia Wesleyan swept a pair of close games Saturday, defeating Bridgewater 3-1 and 5-4 in ODAC softball action.

    In the opener the Marlins Brittaney Brown best BC’s Ashley Gills in a pitcher’s duel.

    The Eagles scored first when Caity Butler belted a solo homer in the second, but the Marlins took the lead with two runs in the top of the third.

    Jackie Jarzynka led off the third with a walk and with two outs scored on a double by Kristin Mundie to tie the score. An error kept the inning alive and put runners at the corners. The Marlins then pulled off a double steal with Mundie scoring to give Virginia Wesleyan the lead. The Marlins added an insurance run in the fourth on Allison Cockrell’s solo homer.

    Brown picked up the win with a complete-game, four-hitter. She struck out seven and did not walk a batter. Gills allowed just two hits, but took the loss. She struck out six and walked one.

    In the second game, the Marlins pushed across an unearned run in the seventh to take a 5-4 victory.

    The teams exchanged runs in the first and then the Eagles took the lead with two runs in the third. With two outs, Kaitlyn Bowman singled and stole second. Butler then delivered a run-scoring single to give BC a 2-1 lead.

    Butler, who advanced to second on the throw home on her base hit, scored on a single by Jordan Burkholder, making the score 3-1.

    The Marlins tied the score with two runs in the top of the fourth. Mandy Nixon led off the inning with a towering homer to right to make it 3-2. Later in the inning, Maree Opland singled to drive home a run, tying the score at 3-3.

    Bridgewater responded with a run in the bottom of the fourth to regain the lead. Emily Morris singled to lead off the inning and Mallory Sandridge reached on a fielder’s choice to give BC runners at first and second with no outs. The runners move up on a sacrifice bunt and, with two outs, pinch-runner Lesli Dunn scored on an infield error, putting BC on top 4-3.

    Nixon singled home a run in the fifth to tie the score at 4-4 and Brown, pitching in relief, wiggled out of a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the sixth to keep the game tied.

    Nixon walked to lead off the seventh, stole second and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt. She scored what proved to be the winning run on a throwing error.

    Brown pitched four innings in relief to pick up her second victory of the day. She allowed three hits and one unearned run.

    The Eagles are now 23-13 overall and finish the ODAC schedule with an 11-7 record. The Marlins improve to 26-10 overall and 14-4 in the ODAC. [Game 1 Boxscore][Game 2 Boxscore]
  • Eagles take two from Sweet Briar - 04/15/2008

  • Kaitlyn BowmanBridgewater College swept an ODAC doubleheader Tuesday from Sweet Briar, winning the first game 5-3 and the second game 6-2.

    Becky Schmidt pitched three hitless innings in relief to pick up the victory in the first game. Caity Butler led the offense with a homer and two RBIs.

    In the second game, Kaitlyn Bowman was 2-for-3 with three RBIs to lead the offense. The three RBIs gave Bowman 154 career RBIs, breaking the Bridgewater record of 153 set by Kameron Tucker.

    Mallory Sandridge, Drew Rutledge and Elizabeth Smith each added two hits to BC's 13-hit attack. Jordan Burkholder also belted her first career homer.

    Lindsay Lam pitched a complete game to earn the victory for the Eagles. She allowed seven hits and struck out seven.

    The Eagles improved to 23-11 overall and 11-5 in the ODAC.
  • Eagles take two from Randolph-Macon - 04/12/2008

  • Ashley GillsBridgewater College swept an ODAC doubleheader Saturday, defeating Randolph-Macon College, 5-4 in 11 innings in the first game and then taking the second game, 6-2.

    The Eagles trailed 2-0 in the opener heading into the bottom of the seventh, but scored two runs to force extra innings. Lauren Childress and Kaitlyn Bowman delivered run-scoring hits in the seventh to tie the score, 2-2.

    After two scoreless innings, the Yellow Jackets scored in the 10th, but Caity Butler drove home a run in the bottom of the 10th to keep the Eagles alive.

    R-MC scored again in the top of the 11th, but again the Eagles rallied. Mallory Sandridge drove in the tying run with a single and BC scored the winning run on a throwing error.

    Ashley Gills went the distance for the Eagles. She allowed eight hits and just two earned runs. She struck out six and walked just one.

    Childress and Bowman had three hits each to lead the BC offense in the first game.

    Randolph-Macon took the lead in the second game when Ashley Crouch belted a two-run homer in the second inning, giving the visitors a 2-1 lead.

    The Eagles tied the score in the fourth on a double by Sandridge and then took the lead with four runs in the fifth. Butler doubled home one run and Jordan Burkholder doubled to drive in two more to hightlight the Eagles fifth-inning flurry.

    Becky Schmidt pitched a complete game to pick up the victory. She allowed two earned runs on four hits. She struck out tw0 and did not walk a batter.

    Butler was 2-for-3 with a pair of RBIs in the second game and Childress added a pair of hits.

    Also on Saturday, Jennifer Hall broke the BC career record for base hits when she singled in the first game. Hall now has 207 career hits, breaking the record set by former teammate Linday Ware who finished with 205 career hits.

    With the two victories, Bridgewater improved to 21-11 overall and 9-5 in the ODAC.
  • Eagles split at Greensboro - 04/10/2008

  • sblogoBridgewater College split a non-conference doubleheader Thursday, defeating Greensboro College 6-5 in 10 innings in the opener before losing the second game, 7-3.

    Ashley Gills pitched the final 5.2 innings in the opener to pick up the win. She allowed just three hits and one unearned while striking out two and walking none.

    The Eagles fell behind 4-0 but fought back and eventually tied the score in the sixth on a run-scoring grounder by Mallory Sandridge.

    Bridgewater won the game in the 10th when Jordan Burkholder scored on a sacrifice fly by Sandridge. Gills retired the side in order in the bottom of the inning to preserve the victory.

    The Eagles managed just three hits in the second game loss. BC still had plenty of opportunities as Greensboro pitchers issued eight walks, but the Eagles stranded nine runners on the basepaths.

    The Eagles are now 19-11 on the season.
  • Eagles sweep doubleheader from E&H - 04/07/2008

  • Caity ButlerBridgewater College swept a conference softball doubleheader from Emory & Henry, winning the first game Monday 7-2, and then taking the second game 9-0 in five innings.

    The Eagles broke up a close game in the opener with four runs in the bottom of the third to take a 5-0 lead. Kaitlyn Bowman and Laura Barry singled and both scored on Caity Butler’s double to make the score 3-0. Two more runs scored on a dropped fly ball, giving BC a five-run lead.

    The Eagles scored their final runs in the fifth when Butler doubled home two more runs.

    Becky Schmidt went the distance on the mound to pick up the victory. She allowed two runs on five hits she struck out four and walked one.

    The Eagles used the long ball to defeat the Wasps in the second game.

    Jennifer Hall belted a solo homer and Jordan Burkholder drove home a run with a double to give the Eagles a 2-0 lead after one inning.

    Bridgewater added three more in the second on Mallory Sandridge’s three-run homer and then put the game away with four runs in the fourth.

    Dagen Rutledge drove in the first run in the fourth with a single and Butler finished off her huge day with a three-run homer to complete the scoring.

    Lindsay Lam picked up the victory in the circle with a three-hit shutout.

    Butler paced the offense with a 4-for-7 effort in the two games with seven RBIs.

    With the two victories, the Eagles improved to 18-10 overall and 7-5 in the ODAC.
  • Greensboro doubleheader postponed - 04/04/2008

  • Today's softball doubleheader at Greensboro College has been postponed due to rain.

    No makeup date has been scheduled at this time.
  • Hornets pound Eagles in doubleheader sweep - 04/02/2008

  • sblogoODAC leader Lynchburg pounded the Bridgewater College Eagles in a doubleheader Wednesday, winning the first game 8-1 and the second game 8-0.

    The Eagles has a total of just 13 hits in the two games and just one hit for extra bases.

    Jennifer Hall and Laura Barry each had two hits in the opener for BC.

    The Hornets ripped 21 hits off the BC staff, including two doubles and three homers. The BC hurlers also walked 10 batters in the two games.

    The Eagles are now 16-10, 5-5 in the ODAC.
  • Eagles take two from Randolph College - 03/29/2008

  • Caity ButlerBridgewater College swept Randolph College in ODAC softball action Saturday, winning the first game 9-1 and the second game 11-2.

    Bridgewater broke the first game open with five runs in the third inning. Caity Butler’s three-run homer highlighted the inning. Kaitlyn Bowman also drove home a run in the third with a triple.

    In the second game, Bridgewater scored nine runs in the second inning to take control. Lauren Childress drove home two runs with a double and Mallory Sandridge belted a two-run homer.

    Nikki Smith drove in both Randolph runs with a two-run homer in the fourth inning.

    Butler finished the doubleheader with five RBIs for the Eagles.

    Bridgwater improves to 16-8 overall and 5-3 in the ODAC. Randolph is now 3-9 overall and 0-8 in the conference.
  • Eagles earn split with Roanoke - 03/25/2008

  • sblogoBridgewater earned a split Tuesday night with No. 22 Roanoke, beating the Maroons 9-6 in the first game before losing 9-0 in the second game.

    In the opener, Caity Butler led the Eagles offense with a 3-for-4 effort and two RBIs. Kaitlyn Bowman and Jordan Burkholder each went 2-for-3 at the plate and each drove in two runs.

    Becky Schmidt pitched six stellar innings before running into trouble in the seventh. The Eagles led 9-1, but Roanoke scored five times in their last at bat. Lindsay Lam came on in relief to record the final out.

    In the second game, Roanoke scored three runs in the first to take control.

    The Eagles had just six hits in the game – two by Mallory Sandridge.
  • Rutledge named ODAC Player of the Week - 03/24/2008

  • Drew RutledgeBridgewater College freshman Drew Rutledge was named the ODAC Player of the Week for her performances in five game last week.

    Rutledge, from Brookneal, Va., hit .476 with a 1.047 slugging percentage in five games – all BC wins. She hit a walk-off two-run homer in a 9-7 victory over Gordon. Rutledge was 2-for-4 with a homer and a double in a 4-0 win over St. Joseph’s. She also was 2-for-4 with three RBIs in a win over Wisconsin-Platteville. For the week she scored eight runs and had nine RBIs in five games to go along with three homers and three doubles.
  • Eagles run winning streak to 10 straight - 03/20/2008

  • sblogoBridgewater College ran its winning streak to 10 in a row Thursday with a doubleheader sweep at Peace College. The Eagles won the opener, 6-3 in eight innings and then won the second game 10-4.

    The Eagles rallied from a 3-run deficit with a 3-run sixth inning to tie the score. Bridgewater scored three runs in the top of the eighth to win the opener, 6-3.

    Jennifer Hall and Caity Butler had three hits each to lead the Eagles offense.

    Becky Schmidt came on in relief in the first inning and pitched 7.1 innings to get the win. Schmidt allowed just one earned run on six hits. She struck out three and walked one.

    In the second game the Eagles scored two runs in the first and two more in the second and never trailed.

    Kaitlyn Bowman and Jordan Burkholder each had two hits and two RBIs to lead the offense. Lauren Childress added two hits and Butler drove in a pair of runs for BC.

    The Eagles are now 13-7.
  • Eagles win two more at the beach - 03/19/2008

  • Caity ButlerBridgewater College picked up two more wins Wednesday at Myrtle Beach as the Eagles defeated St. Joseph’s (Long Island), 4-0 and then downed Wisconsin-Platteville, 9-3.

    In the opener, the Eagles faced one of the top pitchers in the country in St. Joseph’s Jennifer Martinez. Martinez struck out 15 batters, but BC’s Lindsay Lam won the pitcher’s duel with a two-hit shutout Lam went the distance with five strikeouts and five walks.

    Kaitlyn Bowman hit a homer in the first to give BC the lead. Drew Rutledge was 2-for-3 with a homer and Emily Morris was 2-for-2 with a double.

    In the second game, Caity Butler was 3-for-4 with six RBIs and two homers to power the Eagles to the victory. Rutledge was 2-for-3 with a homer, marking the third straight game in which she has homered.

    Becky Schmidt went the distance on the mound allowing three runs on eight hits.

    The Eagles have now won eight straight and are 11-7 on the season.
  • Eagles win pair at Myrtle Beach - 03/18/2008

  • lindseylamBridgewater College picked up a pair of victories Tuesday at the Snowbird Softball Classic in Myrtle Beach.

    In the opener, the Eagles blanked Scranton, 8-0 in five innings. Lindsay Lam pitched a complete game, allowing just two hits while striking out three. She did not walk a batter.

    She received plenty of offensive support with home runs from Caity Butler, Laura Barry, Lauren Childress and Emily Morris.

    The Eagles defeated Gordon College, 9-7, on a two-run, walk-off homer by Drew Rutledge. Rutledge finished the game with four hits in four at-bats.

    The Eagles are now 9-7 on the season.
  • Bowman named ODAC Player of the Week - 03/17/2008

  • Kaitlyn BowmanBridgewater College junior Kaitlyn Bowman has been named the ODAC Softball Player of the Week by the conference office.

    In eight games this past week, Bowman had 14 hits, 9 runs scored, 16 runs batted in, three doubles and five homers.

    She drove in all seven runs with two doubles and two homers in BC's 7-1 victory over York College.

    During the past week, Bowman became Bridgewater's all-time home run leader, breaking the previous record of 26 held by Kameron Tucker.
  • Fulk reaches 400-win mark - 03/17/2008

  • Donnie FulkBridgewater College head softball coach Donnie Fulk reached a milestone Saturday with his 400th career victory.

    Fulk reached the milestone when the Eagles defeated York College, 6-5 in eight innings, in the first game of a doubleheader this past Saturday.
  • Bowman breaks BC home run record - 03/17/2008

  • Kaitlyn BowmanBridgewater College junior Kaitlyn Bowman recently broke the Eagles’ career home run record.

    Bowman hit two homers in the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader vs. York College. Her second homer in that game gave her 27 for her career, breaking the previous mark of 26 held by Kameron Tucker.

    Bowman added another homer Sunday at Guilford and now has 28 for her career.
  • Eagles sweep Guilford - 03/16/2008

  • sblogoBridgewater College reached the .500 mark with a doubleheader sweep Sunday afternoon at Guilford College. The Eagles won the opener 9-3 and then shut out the Quakers, 3-0, in the second game to improve to 7-7 overall and 2-2 in the ODAC.

    Elizabeth Smith was 3-for-3 in the opener and teammates Jennifer Hall, Mallory Sandridge, Lauren Childress and Drew Rutledge added two hits each.

    Becky Schmidt picked up the victory on the mound.

    In the second game, Kaitlyn Bowman broke up a scoreless tie with a two-run homer in the third to lead the Eagles to the 3-0 victory.

    Caity Butler had three hits while Bowman and Kristen Combs each finished with two hits.

    Ashley Gills pitched a complete-game, two-hitter to pick up the victory. Gills struck out 11 and did not walk a batter.
  • Eagles sweep doubleheader from York - 03/15/2008

  • Kaitlyn Bowman2Bridgewater College swept a non-conference softball doubleheader Saturday, rallying to win the first game, 6-5 in eight innings, and then winning the second game, 7-1.

    The Eagles trailed 5-3 after two innings in the opener, but rallied to tie the score with two runs in the sixth. Drew Rutledge, Jennifer Hall and Kristen Combs put together back-to-back-to-back singles to load the bases. Kaitlyn Bowman then hit a grounder to short and Rutledge beat the throw home, making the score 5-4. Hall then scored on a wild pitch to tie the score.

    In the bottom of the eighth, Combs scored from third on Laura Barry's grounder for the winning run.

    Ashley Gills picked up the victory with a stellar relief effort. Gills pitched 6.1 scoreless innings and allowed just three hits.

    The second game was dominated by Bowman's bat. The BC junior drove in all seven runs with two doubles and two homers.

    The Eagles trailed 1-0 before Bowman double to chase Hall home to tie the score in the third. Bowman's two-run homer in the fifth gave BC a 3-1 lead and she put the exclamation point on the victory with a grand-slam blast in the sixth.

    Lindsay Lam gave up one run on two hits in the first, but she allowed just one hit the rest of the way to gain the victory. [Game 1 Boxscore][Game 2 Boxscore]
  • Eagles drop pair at Eastern Mennonite - 03/13/2008

  • Kaitlyn Bowman2Bridgewater College lost a pair of one-run games at Eastern Mennonite in ODAC softball action Thursday. The Royals won a slugfest in the opener, 12-11 in eight innings, and then won a pitcher’s duel in the second game, 1-0.

    The Eagles scored six runs in the seventh inning to erase a 5-3 deficit. Drew Rutledge drove in the first run in the seventh with a single and Jennifer Hall’s baseball loaded double chased home two runs and gave BC a 6-5 lead. Mallory Sandridge drove in a run with a sacrifice fly and Kaitlyn Bowman belted a two-run homer, her second homer of the game, to give the Eagles a 9-5 lead.

    The Royals took advantage of a costly error in the bottom of the seventh inning to rally for four runs. Laura Bomberger doubled in one run before Kaitlyn Andrews tied the game with a 3-run homer.

    BC regained the lead in the eighth on Laura Barry’s two-run homer, but the Eagles were once again unable to hold the lead. The Royals scored the winning run on a two-out, bases-loaded walk.

    In the second game, the Royals scored the game’s only run in the bottom of the sixth without the aid of a base hit. An Eagles’ error with two outs allowed the run to score.

    Nicole Wade shut out the Eagles on a five-hitter. BC’s Ashley Gills also allowed just five hits in picking up the loss.
  • Eagles split with Shenandoah - 03/11/2008

  • sblogoShenandoah and Bridgewater split a non-conference softball doubleheader Tuesday with the Hornets winning the opener, 5-1, while Bridgewater took the second game, 5-0.

    The visitors took advantage of three Bridgewater errors in the fifth inning to break a scoreless tie and take a 3-0 lead.

    Katie Haskins limited the Eagles to just five hits and did not allow an earned run to pick up the victory in the circle for the Hornets.

    Bridgewater bounced back in the second game behind a solid pitching performance from Lindsay Lam. Lam hurled a five-hit shutout while striking out five and walking three.

    The Eagles took the lead with a run in the third. Drew Rutledge singled and took second on a sacrifice bunt. Rutledge moved to third on a groundout before Kaitlyn Bowman walked to put runners at the corners. Bowman and Rutledge then pulled off a double steal to put the Eagles on the board.

    The score remained 1-0 until the sixth when the Eagles broke the game open when Laura Barry ripped a bases-loaded double to give BC a 4-0 lead.

    Bridgewater is now 3-5 on the season.
  • Saturday softball postponed - 03/08/2008

  • sblogoSaturday's softball doubleheader vs. McDaniel has been postponed due to the weather.

    No makeup date has been scheduled at this time.
  • Eagles split games at Beach Blast - 03/01/2008

  • sblogoBridgewater College split its two games Friday at the Beach Blast softball tournament hosted by Virginia Wesleyan College.

    The Eagles defeated Salisbury 5-4 and then lost to Louisiana College, 5-0. Louisiana is ranked No. 4 in the NFCA Division III national poll.

    The Eagles, now 1-3 on the season, play Rochester and Kean on Saturday.
  • Today's softball DH postponed - 02/27/2008

  • Today's softball doubleheader at Greensboro College has been postponed due to wet field conditions.

    The doubleheader will be played on April 4 beginning at 2:30 p.m. at Greensboro College.
  • Eagles drop two at CNU - 02/23/2008

  • jennifer hallThe Bridgewater College softball team, ranked No. 19 in the NFCA Division III poll, opened the season with two tough losses Saturday at Christopher Newport.

    The Captains pushed across a run in the bottom of the seventh to win the opener 2-1 and then rallied from a 5-0 deficit to take the second game 10-6.

    The Eagles tied the opener 1-1 in the seventh when freshman pinch-hitter Dagen Rutledge drove home a run with two outs. The Captains won the game with an unearned run in the bottom of the seventh.

    Freshman Becky Schmidt suffered the loss despite pitching 6.2 innings and allowing three hits and just one earned run.

    In the second game, the Eagles jumped out to a 4-0 lead with three runs in the first and one in the second.

    Jennifer Hall led off the game with a double, stole third and scored on a wild pitch to put the Eagles on the board. Freshman Emily Morris plated two runs with a double to give BC a 3-0 lead.

    Drew Rutledge doubled with one out in the second and scored on Mallory Sandridge’s single to male the score 4-0. The Captains scored one in the third and then plated sixth in the fourth to take a 7-4 lead. The Eagles pulled to within one with single runs in the fifth and sixth before CNU put the game away with three in the bottom of the sixth.

    Lindsay Lam took the loss giving up eight runs on six hits in five innings. Only three of the eight runs were earned. Morris drove in three runs and Hall had two hits to lead the offense.
  • Eagles tied for top spot in ODAC poll - 02/14/2008

  • CoachFulk(Courtesy of the ODAC)
    SALEM, Va. - Bridgewater College and Lynchburg College sit tied at the top of the 2008 ODAC Softball Coaches Poll. Both squads earned 91 total votes with Bridgewater receiving four first place votes and Lynchburg picked up three top nods. Roanoke College was picked third in the survey with 84 votes and two first place selections, and Eastern Mennonite holds the fourth spot with 70 votes and one top tally.

    Bridgewater (40-8, 17-1 ODAC) picked up an at-large bid into the 2007 NCAA Division III Tournament after falling to Lynchburg in the ODAC championship. Bridgewater led the league in several statistical categories last season including, batting average (.357), runs scored (407), hits (503), RBIs (358) and homeruns (50). The Eagles return three All-ODAC first team selections in seniors Laura Barry and Jennifer Hall and junior Caity Butler, but they have a hole to fill on the mound with the graduation of ODAC Pitcher of the Year, Lisa Rhodes. The Eagles start this season off ranked No. 19 in the NFCA Division III softball poll.

    Lynchburg (36-13, 14-4 ODAC) earned the ODAC’s automatic bid into the NCAA tournament with its fourth overall league title and first since 1996. The Hornets will have to replace the production of two-time ODAC Player of the Year, Caroline Cubbage, in order to make a return trip to the national tourney. LC was second in the league in batting average (.340), runs scored (329), hits (428), homeruns (48), and stolen bases (62). The Hornets also return two All-ODAC second team selections in senior Elizabeth Perkins and junior Brittany Allsop. Lynchburg kicks off its season ranked No. 11 in the NFCA Division III softball poll.

    Roanoke (29-9, 15-3 ODAC) led the league in hits allowed (161), runs allowed (86) and field percentage (.967) last season. The Maroons return two All-ODAC first team selections in seniors Loren Messick and Hillary Hudgins, one second team selection in Tamara Poles and the 2007 Rookie of the Year, Kelsey Ruitenberg.

    Eastern Mennonite (25-14, 10-8 ODAC) finished with a 2.33 team earned run average, good enough for third in the league. All-ODAC first team selection, Natasha Viafora (12-5, 1.56 ERA), and Jamie Fraysher (11-6, 2.46 ERA) return to lead the Royals’ pitching staff.

    Listed below is the entire 2008 ODAC Softball Preseason Poll. For more information, visit the ODAC on the Internet at www.odaconline.com.

    2008 ODAC Softball Coaches Poll
    (#) Denotes first place votes
    1. Bridgewater 91 (4)
    2. Lynchburg 91 (3)
    3. Roanoke 84 (2)
    4. Eastern Mennonite 70 (1)
    5. Randolph-Macon 52
    6. Virginia Wesleyan 50
    7. Emory & Henry 46
    8. Guilford 26
    9. Sweet Briar 26
    10. Randolph 14
  • Eagles ranked No. 19 in preseason softball poll - 01/31/2008

  • jennifer hallThe Bridgewater College Eagles were ranked No. 19 in the NFCA Division III softball poll released Thursday.

    The Eagles return six position players from the 2007 team that finished the season with a 40-8 record and the program's first-ever ttip to the NCAA tournament.

    Leading the list of returnees are a pair of All-Americans - catcher Laura Barry and designated player Ciaty Butler. Also back are All-ODAC first-team outfielder Jennifer Hall and All-ODAC second-team outfielder Kaitlyn Bowman. Elizabeth Smith returns to her starting spot at first and Mallory Sandridge is back at shortstop.

    Also back are two of last year's top pitchers - Ashley Gills and Lindsay Lam. [NFCA Preseason Softball Top 25]
  • Coaching staff receives regional award - 07/02/2007

  • coachfulkThe Bridgewater College softball coaching staff has been named the Atlantic Region Coaching Staff of the Year, sharing the honor with Emory University staff.

    Head coach Donnie Fulk led the Eagles to a college record for victories with a 40-8 overall record and the program’s first-ever trip to the NCAA Division III playoffs. The Eagles advanced to the round of 16, losing to DePauw at the New Concord region hosted by Muskingum.

    Pitching coach Priscilla Halterman and assistants Danny Conley and Skip Eger shared the award with Coach Fulk.

    Halterman just completed her second season on the Eagles’ staff and the pitchers posted a 1.66 ERA, the best in college history. The Eagles ranked No. 17 in the nation in ERA. Conley assists Fulk with the team’s hitters. This season, Bridgewater led the nation in scoring with an average of 8.48 runs per game. Eger works with the Eagles’ outfielders. [NFCA All-Region Coaching Staffs]
  • Eagles ranked No. 19 in final poll - 07/02/2007

  • NFCAlogoThe Bridgewater College softball team was ranked No. 19 in the nation in the final NFCA 2007 Division III Top 25 poll.

    The Eagles posted the best record in college history with a 40-8 mark. The team also made the program’s first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division III playoffs, losing in the round of 16 to DePauw. [NFCA Division III Top 25]
  • Eagles dominate all-state team - 06/20/2007

  • coachfulkThe VaSID All-State College Division softball team was released Wednesday and the Bridgewater College Eagles dominated the voting with seven players receiving honors, including six on the first team.

    Also, Bridgewater head coach Donnie Fulk was named the state coach of the year in voting by Virginia’s sports information directors.

    Heading BC’s picks on the first team were All-Americans Caity Butler and Laura Barry. Butler, a first-team NFCA All-American was named to the all-state team as the designated player while Barry, a third-team NFCA All-American was named to the team at the catcher position.

    Also named to the all-state first team were Kate Reitz at second base, pitcher Lisa Rhodes, Lindsay Ware at third base and outfielder Jennifer Hall.

    Outfielder Kaitlyn Bowman was named to the second team.

    Fulk led the Eagles to a 40-8 record and the program’s first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division III tournament. Lynchburg’s Caroline Cubbage was named the state player of the year and Roanoke’s Kelsey Ruitenberg was named the state rookie of the year. [VaSID All-State Softball Team]
  • Eagles lead nation in runs scored - 06/05/2007

  • sblogoThe Bridgewater College softball team finished the 2007 season ranked No. 1 in the nation in Division III scoring with an average of 8.48 runs per game.

    The Eagles were also ranked in four other offensive categories. BC ranked No 6 in slugging percentage with a .550 percentage, No. 7 in batting average at .357, ninth in homers with 1.04 per game and 11th in doubles with 2.02 per game.

    Bridgewater also ranked 17th in ERA at 1.66, 20th in double plays with .30 per game and 29th in field with a .961 percentage.

    Individually, Kaitlyn Bowman ranked No. 15 in RBIs per game, Laura Barry was 37th in doubles per game and Jennifer Hall ranked 20th in runs scored and 46th in homers per game. Lisa Rhodes ranked in 19th in the nation in both wins and ERA.

    Bridgewater finished the season with a 40-8 record, thing the Eagles for the fifth-best win-loss percentage in the country. [NCAA Statistics]
  • Butler, Barry earn All-American honors - 05/17/2007

  • ButlerBridgewater College softball players Caity Butler and Laura Barry were honored on the Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-American team released Thursday.

    Butler, a sophomore, was named to the first team as the designated player, becoming the first player in the history of the Bridgewater softball program to receive first-team All-American recognition. Butler finished the season with a team-high .428 batting average. She recorded 59 hits and hit eight homers and drove in 44 runs.

    Barry, a junior, was named to the All-American third team at catcher. Barry was second on the team in hitting with a .425 average. She finished the year with 17 doubles, nine homers and 47 RBIs. She led the Eagles with a .754 slugging percentage.

    The Eagles have had four All-Americans in the past two seasons. In 2006, Kaitlyn Bowman earned second-team honors and Lindsay Ware was named to the third team.

    The 2007 Eagles set a college record for victories with a 40-8 record and made the program’s first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division III tournament.
  • Five Eagles named to All-Region team - 05/14/2007

  • sblogoBridgewater College placed five players on the Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-Atlantic Region team, including two on the first team.

    Bridgewater catcher Laura Barry and designated player Caity Butler each received first team honors. Barry, a junior, entered regional play with a .444 batting average with eight homers and 46 RBIs. Butler, also a junior, led the Eagles with a .463 average with eight homers and 43 RBIs.

    Sophomore outfielder Kaitlyn Bowman was named to the second team after hitting .362 with a team-high 11 homers and a team-high 58 RBIs.

    Seniors Kate Reitz (second base) and Lisa Rhodes (pitcher) were named to the All-Region third team. Reitz hit for a 422 average while Rhodes entered regional play with an 18-1 record and a 1.12 ERA. [NFCA All-Region Teams]
  • Eagles eliminated by DePauw - 05/14/2007

  • sblogoBridgewater College’s quest to reach the Division III Softball World Series came up short Sunday afternoon in New Concord, Ohio, when the Eagles lost to DePauw, 6-1.

    DePauw jumped out to an early 3-0 lead and that was more than enough offense for Tigers’ standout pitcher Megan Soultz. Soultz limited the Eagles to just four hits to win her fourth game of the tournament.

    The Eagles advanced to the championship round by defeating Anderson, 5-2, on Sunday. The Eagles fell behind 2-0 as Anderson took advantage of several defensive lapses, but Bridgewater battled back and tied the game on Jennifer Hall’s two-run homer. The Eagles then took advantage of Anderson’s defensive mistakes and added three runs to take the victory. Freshmen Lindsay Lam and Ashley Gills combined to pitch the Eagles to the victory with Gills getting the win in relief.

    The Eagles finished the season with a 40-8 record – the best mark in college history.

    Seniors Kate Reitz and Lindsay Ware closed out their college careers by being named to the New Concord Regional All-Tournament team along with BC junior Jennifer Hall. [Regional Website]
  • Eagles fall in 10th inning, 4-3 - 05/12/2007

  • sblogoDePauw University scored two unearned runs in the bottom of the 10th inning Saturday to defeat the Bridgewater College Eagles, 4-3, in NCAA regional action.

    With the loss, the Eagles will play Sunday afternoon in an elimination game against Anderson. Game time is 12 noon.

    DePauw’s Megan Soultz and BC’s Lisa Rhodes matched zeroes until Jennifer Hall belted a two-run homer in the top of the seventh to give the Eagles a 2-0 lead.

    The Tigers battled back when Jessica Krueger led off the bottom of the seventh with a triple and scored on a single by Kaitlyn Davitt to make the score 2-1. Lauren Rees tied the score with a sacrifice fly to send the game to extra innings.

    Bridgewater took its second lead in the 10th. Kaitlyn Bowman walked and moved to third on a double by Laura Barry. Bowman scored on a single by Caity Butler, making the score 3-2.

    Jessica Bowlds reached on an error to lead off the bottom of the 10th but was forced out at second on a grounder by Laura Schlensker. Rhodes retired the next two batters before Kristy Mahon singled to right. Mahon’s hit was misplayed and allowed Schlensker to score the tying run with Mahon ending up at third. Krueger then lined a clean single to right to score Mahon with the winning run.

    Kate Reitz and Barry had two hits apiece for the Eagles, Rhodes was tagged with the tough loss. She went the distance, allowing two earned runs and seven hits. [Regional Website]
  • Eagles edge Muskingum, 3-2 - 05/11/2007

  • sblogoBridgewater College scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning Friday afternoon to defeat No. 1 seed Muskingum College, 3-2, in the second round of the NCAA regionals.

    With the victory, the Eagles advance to the final of the winner’s bracket where they will meet DePauw. DePauw advanced with an 11-1 victory over Alma. Saturday's game is scheduled for 2 p.m.

    The Eagles struck first when Laura Barry belted a solo homer in the second for a 1-0 BC lead.

    Freshman Ashley Gills made the run stand up until the top of the seventh when the Muskies tied the score. Jamie Echelberger reached on a single and scored on a double by Amy Iammarino to even the score 1-1.

    After the Eagles failed to score in the bottom of the seventh, Muskingum took the lead in the top of the eighth. Kim Tackett reached on an error and scored on Randi Dance’s single to left, giving the Muskies a 2-1 lead.

    Barry started BC’s winning rally in the bottom of the eighth with a one-out double to right. Caity Butler was intentionally walked and pinch-runners Lori Smith and Jessica Dunn each moved up a base on a wild pitch. Stephanie Steppe was intentionally walked to load the bases, but Elizabeth Smith then grounded back to the pitcher, forcing Lori Smith out at home for the second out of the inning. Dunn then scored on a wild pitch to tie the game 2-2. Mallory Sandridge drew a walk to reload the bases and bring leadoff hitter Jennifer Hall to the plate. Muskingum pitcher Amy Mattin fell behind in the count 3-0 but battled back with two strikes to run the count full. Hall then slapped a grounder to short and beat the throw to first for an infield hit as Steppe scored the winning run.

    Gills turned in a stellar effort on the mound as she pitched a complete-game, six hitter. She struck out two and did not walk a batter as she improved to 7-2 on the season.

    Bridgewater is now 39-6 on the season. [Regional Website]
  • Eagles win regional opener, 3-1 - 05/10/2007

  • sblogoBridgewater College opened play in the NCAA Division III softball tournament Thursday with a 3-1 victory over Anderson University at Muskingum College in New Concord, Ohio.

    With the victory the Eagles improve to 38-6 on the season. Thursday’s game was the first ever for the BC softball program in NCAA postseason play.

    The Ravens took the lead when Julia Siefring belted Rhodes’ first pitch of the game over the rightfield fence for a 1-0 lead.

    The lead didn’t last long as the Eagles scored two runs in the second. With one out, Caity Butler singled and Stephanie Steppe followed with her first homer of the season to put the Eagles on top, 2-1.

    Steppe provided an insurance run in the sixth when she belted a towering homer to left, making the score 3-1. Rhodes finished the game with a three-hitter. She stuck out six and walked one.

    The Eagles finished with 11 hits – three each by Steppe and Lindsay Ware.

    The Eagles advance to meet No. 1 seed Muskingum on Friday at 2 p.m. Muskingum defeated Hood College, 8-0. [Regional Website]
  • ESPN 1360 will broadcast regional games - 05/09/2007

  • sblogoAll of Bridgewater College's softball games in this week's New Concord regional will be broadcast locally on ESPM 1360.

    Bill Phipps will handle the play-by-play of the broadcasts along with Bridgewater College sports information director Steve Cox.

    Keep on with the all of the regional action by visiting Muskingum's website. [Regional Website]
  • Eagles receive bid to NCAA tournament - 05/07/2007

  • sblogoThe Bridgewater College softball team received one of the at-large bids to participate in the NCAA Division III tournament.

    The Eagles will travel to Muskingum College in New Concord, Ohio, and will play Anderson University in the first round on Thursday at noon.

    Muskingum is seeded No. 1 in region followed by DePauw, Alma, Anderson, Bridgewater, Maryville, Allegheny and Hood.

    This will mark Bridgewater softball's first-ever appearance in NCAA postseason play. [New Concord Bracket]
  • Eagles ranked No. 7 in Atlantic Region - 05/04/2007

  • sblogoThe Bridgewater College Eagles moved up to No. 7 in this week's Atlantic Region rankings.

    Louisian College, with a 33-9 overall record is ranked No. 1 in the region followed by Mississippi College (36-8), Methodist College (32-8), Salsibury University (34-7), Emory University (28-6), Christopher Newport University (33-8), Bridgewater College (37-6) and Maryville College (23-11).

    The selections and brackets for the 2007 NCAA Division III Softball Tournament will be determined Sunday.
  • Eagles lead nation in scoring - 05/02/2007

  • sblogoThe Bridgewater College softball team still leads the nation in runs scored in the latest NCAA Division III statistics.

    Bridgewater leads the nation in scoring with 9.12 runs per game. The team is ranked in the national statistics in several categories. The Eagles are No. 5 in batting average, No. 6 in doubles, No. 7 in slugging percentage, No. 9 in homers, No. 16 in earned run average and No. 23 in fielding percentage.

    At 37-6, the Eagles have the eighth-best winning percentage in Division III at .860.

    The Eagles will find out Sunday whether or not they will receive an at-large bid to the NCAA Division III tournament. [NCAA Stats]
  • Rhodes named ODAC Pitcher of the Year - 04/23/2007

  • lisaBridgewater College senior pitcher Lisa Rhodes was name ODAC Pitcher of the Year to headline the all-conference team released Monday.

    Rhodes finished the season with an 18-1 record and a 1.12 ERA. She set new BC records for victories in a season with 18 and shutouts in a season with nine. The nine shutouts is also a new ODAC record. In 125 innings pitched, Rhodes allowed 108 hits while striking out 67 and walking just 17.

    Joining Rhodes on the All-ODAC first team were catcher Laura Barry, second baseman Kate Reitz, third baseman Lindsay Ware and outfielder Jennifer Hall.

    Barry hit .444 with a team-high 15 doubles. She finished with eight homers and 46 RBIs. Reitz hit .422 with 33 RBIs. Ware was named to the first team for the third team after hitting .331 with 27 RBIs. Butler led the team in hits with 57. She led the team with a .463 average and finished with 43 RBIs. Hall hit for a .383 average and tied the single-season college record with 53 runs scored.

    Named to the All-ODAC second team was outfielder Kaitlyn Bowman. Bowman led the ODAC in RBIs with 58. She hit .362 and led the team in homers with 11.

    Freshman pitcher Lindsay Lam earned honorable mention after going 13-3 on the mound.

    Lynchburg’s Caroline Cubbage, a high school teammate with Rhodes at Turner Ashby was named the ODAC Player of the Year. Roanoke’s Kelsey Ruitenberg was named the Rookie of the Year while Eastern Mennonite’s J.D. McCurdy and Randolph-Macon’s Kevin Profitt shared the Coach of the Year honor. Roanoke’s Amy Gillis was named the Scholar-Athlete of the Year and Randolph-Macon Woman’s College received the Team Sportsmanship Award.
  • Hornets hold off Eagles for ODAC title - 04/22/2007

  • ODAC sblogoThe Bridgewater College team’s quest for an ODAC title came up just short Sunday afternoon at the Moyer Complex in Salem as Lynchburg College held on to defeat the Eagles, 7-4 in the championship game.

    The Eagles forced a second game Sunday by defeating Lynchburg 8-6 to hand the Hornets their first loss of the tournament. The Eagles scored four runs in the second and three in third to take a 7-1 lead and then held off a later rally by the Hornets to take the victory.

    Lisa Rhodes pitched a complete game to improve her record to 18-1 on the season.

    Kate Reitz gave BC a 1-0 lead with a solo homer in the first inning of the second game, but the Hornets hit the Eagles with six runs in the bottom of the first to lead 6-1.

    Freshman Ashley Gills came on and shut the Hornets out until the sixth, giving the Eagles a chance to rally.

    Bridgewater scored single runs in the second, third and fourth innings to pull with two, 6-4, but Hornets’ starter Larissa Roscher shut the Eagles down over the final two innings to preserve the victory.

    Rhodes at pitcher, catcher Laura Barry, Reitz at second base, outfielder Kaitlyn Bowman and designated player Caity Butler were selected to the all-tournament team.

    Bridgewater is now 37-6 overall and will wait until selection Sunday in two weeks to see if they will receive an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament.