GREENSBORO, N.C. - It was a tough showing for the Guilford College softball team (9-13, 0-4 ODAC) as they fell to the No. 5 Marlins of Virginia Wesleyan University (19-1, 6-0 ODAC) 10-1 in both games due to laser-focused pitching and relentless offense at Haworth Field on Saturday afternoon.
 
Game One:

Guilford recorded just three hits thanks to Lauren Bible (11-0) who was locked in from the jump, tossing six innings, allowing two walks, one earned run, and striking out ten. The Quakers had trouble finding their footing as Abbey Whelan (Gaithersburg, Md.) (3-4) started for the Quakers but was handed the loss after giving up seven runs (six earned), on ten hits, and walking three in five innings. Kalissa Williams (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) was on deck in relief but Virginia Wesleyan kept the pedal to the medal, scoring five runs in the top of the sixth. Finally, Micah Wilson (Asheboro, N.C.) closed the game with 0.1 innings of relief.

Things were looking up for the Quakers as Olivia Shelton (Stokesdale, N.C.) singled it to third right before showing off her wheels to steal second base. Williams singled up the middle, advancing Shelton to third. Moments later, Alyssa Daniel (Spring Lake, N.C.) entered as a pinch runner for Williams and executed a double steal, swiping third while Shelton raced home.

Virginia Wesleyan was ruthless on offense, racking up 13 hits and stealing six bases. Olivia Knight made a splash for the Marlins, going 3-for-4 at the plate, four RBIs, and two runs scored. Mackenzie Myers was right there with her also going 3-for-4, two RBIs, and two runs. Morgan Tucker went 2-for-4 and scored in the fifth while Sarah Prosser went 1-for-2, scoring in the first and sixth. Alexis Hudgens and Riley Curtice each drove in runs as well, helping Virginia Wesleyan score in the fourth and sixth innings.
 
Game Two:

Hannah Hearl (1-1) was the big fish, earning the win while striking out three and allowing only one hit in three innings. In relief for Virginia Wesleyan was Julia Piotrowski as she was involved in two innings, allowing one run, three hits, and striking out a Quaker. On the mound for GC, Dillon Northen (Kernersville, N.C.) (3-2) holds the loss after striking out one, issuing three walks, allowing nine runs (four unearned), and six hits in three innings. Arden Finney (Boonville, N.C.) made an appearance for Guilford in two innings, surpassing her season high, while allowing five hits and one run.

Offensively, Guilford kept quiet throughout the first three innings until Williams walked to grant Shelton the opportunity to advance to second. Daniel stepped in to pinch hit for Williams before Kaley Mitchell (Lake Waccamaw, N.C.) reached on a fielder's choice to second base, driving in a run. Daniel advanced to second, allowing Shelton to cross the plate.

Virginia Wesleyan showed no sign of flopping as they scored in nearly every inning except the fifth and final one in game two. Laci Campbell was flawless, going 2-for-2 and contributing three RBIs while Hudgens added a run, two RBIs, and went 1-for-2. Tucker showcased yet another solid game, going 2-for-3, adding an RBI, and two runs alongside Prosser going 1-for-3 at the plate with two runs and an RBI. Piotrowski went 1-for-2 with a run scored, while Joslyn Woodard crossed the plate twice, and Mirandah Jenkins contributed a 1-for-3 performance with two runs.

The Quakers aim to bounce back against the No. 14 Yellow Jackets of Randolph-Macon for a quick turnaround doubleheader on Sunday, March 30th starting at noon and 2 PM at Haworth Field.
 
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