The Guilford College baseball team faced Castleton University in a midday matinee. An eight-run fourth lifted the Spartans over the Quakers, 17-12.

In the top of the first, Castleton opened the scoring with a solo shot over the left field wall. Guilford and Isaiah Hairston responded in the bottom half with a single to center as Bryce Vestal crossed home.

An at-bat later, Colin Smith hit a sacrifice fly to center so Michael Sumner could tag up and give the Quakers a 2-1 lead.

The Spartans quickly evened the game at two with a leadoff homer. In the top of the third, the visitors scored three runs on three hits to capture a 5-2 lead.

In the bottom half of the frame, the Guilford offense erupted for seven runs on four hits led by a two-run blast off the bat of Hairston.

Trailing 9-5, Castleton plated eight runs on six hits to retake the lead, 13-8. CU added another run in sixth before Grayson Tudor doubled in the bottom half to bring home two and cut the deficit to four (14-11).

The visitors expanded its edge in the eighth with three runs on five hits. In the bottom half of the inning, Rylan Smith hit a solo home run but the deficit proved too large as the Quakers ultimately fell by five.

Hairston went 2-5 from the plate, driving in three runs and scoring once. Rylan Smith was 2-4 with a RBI and crossing home three times.

Guilford faces Castleton on Thursday, February 23 to split the series. First pitch is set for 2:00 p.m.