Salem, V.A. (4/2/08) --The Roanoke College baseball team defeated Guilford College (9-8) tonight in a nine inning contest at Kiwanis field. The Maroons improved to (10-15), (5-6) in the ODAC. The Quakers fell to (14-15) overall, (4-7) in the ODAC.

Roanoke gave up four runs in the first two innings of play and started the retaliation in the bottom of the second. One run scored in both the second and third inning off of a double from Patrick Collins and a sacrifice fly to from Alan Moore.  The Maroons continued to chip away in the fourth inning and took the lead with four runs scored off of four hits. With a 6-4 lead, the Quakers tied the game with a two run homer to right field from John Goodwin.

After a scoreless sixth inning, the Quakers took the lead 8-6 off of two hits in the seventh. Roanoke responded with a solo homer fromsenior centerfielder Matt Vess. The Maroons held the Quakers for the remainder of the game and rallied in the bottom of the ninth. Two walks and a single up the right side loaded the bases for the Maroons. Chris Zachodzki was then hit by a pitch to tie the score. With two outs and the bases loaded Noah Davidson (3-for-5) hit the game winning line drive single to left field. Davidson also collected a double in the win.

Three Maroons batted over .500 and five Maroons hit a double in the contest.  Vess (2-for-4) tallied two RBI and two runs scored in his productive night at the plate. First baseman Brad Greenway hit 3-for-5 with one RBI and one run scored. Greenway hit his second double of the season.

Chris Caputo and Joseph Johannes both saw time on the mound and struck out two batters apiece in a combined 5.3 innings of play. Sophomore Cody Kidd (2-3) pitched the final three innings for Roanoke. Kidd struck out one and gave up no runs to earn the win for the Maroons.

Guilford's offense was fueled by centerfielder Joe John who hit 2-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored. Also making an impact was right fielder Byron Myers who hit 2-for-4 with one run scored and two RBI. Phil Drew hit a double to earn one RBI and two runs scored in the contest.   The Quaker bullpen was led by Reid MacLean and Drew Gurkin. MacLean started and struck out three batters in three innings of work. He allowed two walks. Gurkin closed the game and struck out eight batters in 4.2 innings of work.

Guilford hosts Eastern Mennonite University Saturday (4/5) in an ODAC twinbill at McBane Field. Roanoke will travel to Bristol, TN tomorrow to face King College for a doubleheader at 2:00pm. The Tornados are (21-7) on the season. This will be the third meeting between the Tornados and the Maroons (0-2). Roanoke will travel to Bridgewater, VA to return to conference play on Saturday, April 5. The doubleheader vs. the Eagles is scheduled for 12:00pm. The Eagles are (13-11-1) overall and (5-5) in the ODAC. The Eagles lead the series 11-1.

-Story courtesy of Roanoke Sports Information.