GREENSBORO, N.C. -- It was a cold afternoon at Haworth Field, with inclement weather affecting the conditions of today's doubleheader between the visiting Mary Baldwin Fighting Squirrels and the Guilford College Quakers. Both games tallied for a combined four runs, but ultimately Guilford won both games in the clutch, sweeping Mary Baldwin by scores of 1-0 and 2-1. 

As the season openers for both squads, the Fighting Squirrels drop to 0-2, while the Quakers advance to 2-0 on the young season. 

Shiloh Gray (Lexington, N.C.) threw seven innings of one run ball, which ultimately proved to be the decider, moving to 1-0 in the process. MBU starter Emily McCreery pitched just as deep into game one, but got shelled towards the end. Relief pitcher Reagan Frazier took the loss in relief, giving up the game winning run in the bottom of the seventh. 

On the offensive side, Grace Calus (Creedmoor, N.C.) was the lone Quaker with multiple hits, going 2-4, scoring a run, and stealing a base as well. Gray went 1-3 with an RBI. Designated player McKenzie Tillman had two hits for the visitors. 

Like Gray in game one, starting pitcher Dillon Northen (Kernersville, N.C), pitched the whole way, allowing just one run through the contest, despite allowing seven hits. MBU pitcher Molly Thompson struck out five, but took the loss after late-game heroics from the Quaker offense propelled them to the victory.

Just as low-scoring as game one, only two Quakers recorded multiple hits, including Lani Procell (Orlando, Fla.) and Kaci Johnson (Winterville, N.C.). Candace Strombeck (Creedmoor, N.C) provided the game-tying run with an RBI. For the Fighting Squirrels, Leanna Rankin drove in the lone score for the visitors. 

Game 1
The Fighting Squirrels reached base immediately to start with a walk, but Grey found control, and left the next runners stranded. Quality plays from the infield got the last runner out, attempting to run the base paths. Johnson was the only hitter in the bottom of the frame, as her teammates grounded and flew out to strand her. 

Mary Baldwin found their groove in the following inning; two consecutive hits, combined with an error committed by the home team, placed runners at the corners. The next batter popped out, and first base runner McKenzie Parrish attempted to steal, but was tagged out at second. The Quakers could not close the frame out, as MBU scored off a fielder's choice. GC stopped any potential bleeding after the next batter. 

Guilford found their way to a score in the bottom of the third. Chloee Stoner (Salisbury, N.C.) and Calus hit back-to-back singles, and after an error from the visitor infield, Calus was able to steal third and run to home plate to tie the game at one apiece. 

Both pitchers put on a clinic through the next three rounds, until the cracks showed from Fighting Squirrel pitcher McCreery in the game's eventual last frame. Two consecutive walks, followed by a single from Calus, loaded the bases for the first time in this contest. Those proved to be her last pitches, as she was pulled for Frazier. She got an immediate out after tagging out Stoner at home, but the bases remained full. Gray ended game one with a thriller, singling to center to advance Calus to home plate for the one-run victory. 

Game 2
Heading into the fifth inning with no scores, Thompson singled to right field to open the top of the inning for Mary Baldwin. After two consecutive outs, a deep single to left field by Cassidy Newcomb gave the MBU their best chance to score in the game so far. An error from the Quaker infield right after gave the Fighting Squirrels the late 1-0 lead. GC failed to reply, with three quick outs from Thompson.

Guilford got through the top of the sixth effectively, and gave themselves hope in the bottom of the frame. Calus doubled to deep center field, and after Johnson singled her over to third, the Quakers were in prime position to tie the game. Calus jumped on a flyout from Gray, and was tagged at home plate to keep them scoreless. 

The seventh could have been the dagger for Guilford, but due to a stellar throw from the outfield to tag out an MBU runner at home, the Fighting Squirrels were unable to extend their lead. Heading into what was GC's last chance to stay alive, Stonerr got the frame going with a double. Alli Clemens (Cocoa, Fla.) reached base on an error, putting Stoner in prime position. Strombeck came in clutch with an RBI by advancing Stoner home. Two batters later, Procell singled to right field, and the Fighting Squirrels outfield failed to get the other runners out, allowing Clemens to advance home, and complete the season-opening sweep. 

The softball team makes the in-state trip to Raleigh on Sunday, February 25, where they will face Meredith College for a doubleheader. First pitch of game one is set for 12:00 p.m.