GREENSBORO, N.C. - It was a very brisk day at Haworth Field as the Guilford College softball team took on Shenandoah University in their first Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) matchup of the season. GC came away with a sweep against the Hornets in the afternoon, 11-6 and 8-7.
This advances the Quakers' record to 10-8, and a good start of 2-0 for conference play. For the Hornets, this puts their record even at 8-8 and they fall to 0-2 in conference play. .
For Guilford, Shiloh Gray (Lexington, N.C.) took to the mound for all seven innings, improving her pitching record to 4-2. For the duration of the contest, she allowed 10 hits, six runs, two of which were earned, caused three strikeouts, and faced a total of 37 batters.
A successful game for Guilford's offense in game one, securing their advantage after the fourth inning. Overall, three runs scored by Kassidy Lancos (Irvine, Calif.), a season high for the shortstop. GC took the win with a significant margin, 11-6.
In game two, Dillon Northen (Kernersville, N.C.) pitched for the majority of time, six innings total. She also claimed the pitching win, improving her record to 4-3. Northen allowed 11 hits, six runs, all of which were earned, caused one strikeout, and faced 31 batters. For the one inning she didn't throw for,
Alexis Lester (Elkin, N.C.) took up the ball. Guilford's competition tallied one run on her account but she locked down her first save of the year.
Lancos and Grace Calus (Creedmoor, N.C.) carried their momentum from the first contest into the second, both scoring two runs each. Things started to get tense in the sixth inning when Shenandoah looked like they would make a comeback, but with just one score in the seventh for the Hornets, the game ended 8-7.
GAME 1:
The first inning ended in favor of Shenandoah, 3-2. Guilford's two runs were scored by Lancos and Calus. In the second inning, Guilford scored another two and claimed the lead. This was due to Lancos hitting a ground ball to the third baseman, resulting in a run for Lani Procell (Orlando, Fla.). This was immediately followed by Calus hitting a single to the pitcher, en route to
Chloee Stoner (Salisbury, N.C.) making it home.
Quiet for both squads in the third, the fourth deemed drastically different. Shenandoah batting first, they tallied two runs, taking the lead. In the bottom of the fourth, Guilford decided to show off a little. Gray singled up the middle, advancing on the throw, allowing enough time for Lancos and Stoner to come around the diamond and score. Gray herself eventually advanced to third, then once
Morgan Singletary (Laurel Hill, N.C.) singled down the middle, Gray made it home. Singletary then pulled a trick out her sleeve and stole second, putting runners now at second and third. On the next play,
Faith Fennel (Buena Park, Calif.) doubled towards the left center, leading both Singletary and
Kaci Johnson (Winterville, N.C.) to each tally one on the board.
Shenandoah went scoreless in the fifth frame, GC stacked another two runs. Lancos on fire this afternoon, she opened the inning singling up the middle, then stealing second, advancing to third with Calus up at bat, then scoring after Gray singled up the middle. Nicole Gumula (Wellington, Fla.) then pinch ran for Gray, and proceeded to steal two bases. Alli Clemens (Cocoa, Fla.) doubled to left field, bringing Gumula back home, the score standing at 11-5. In the seventh inning, Shenandoah achieved one run, concluding the first ballgame of the day, 11-6.
GAME 2:
The second contest opened with just one run for Shenandoah, before Guilford clapped back with three. These runs were back to back, starting with Clemens singling to left field but advancing to second on the throw, bringing Calus and Lancos home. Clemens then recorded a run of her own, after Singletary singled to left field.
The next few innings were slower paced, Emma Patterson (Mocksville, N.C.) scored a run in the second and Gray came home in the third. In the fourth, Shenandoah tallied a run, and Guilford racked two. This was a huge play for GC as Johnson singled up the middle, but advanced to second on the throw, similar to what happened in the first inning with both Calus and Lancos scoring for the second time this game. The score now stood at 7-2.
In the fifth, Torrie Randel (Kit Carson, Colo.) pinch ran for Stoner and brought a run home due to once again, Lancos hitting a single to left center. It was at this moment where things started to seem shaky as Shenandoah scored three in the sixth, making the score 8-6. They then hit one out of the park at the top of the seventh, almost tying the game, but three outs and they were done, with a final score 8-7.
The Quakers look to continue this momentum on the road into their next doubleheader at Cougar Field against conference foe, Averett University. This matchup will take place on Wednesday, March 27. Start times are scheduled for 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
