HARRISONBURG, VA - Despite a 13-hit showing and a strong day at the plate from several Quakers, the Guilford College softball team (14-22, 5-13 ODAC) missed the mark in both games against Eastern Mennonite University (11-22-1, 4-14 ODAC) 11-4 in game one and 3-2 in the second at Gehman Field on a toasty Saturday afternoon. Kalissa Williams (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) went 3-for-6 on the day and smacked a homer in game two.

Game One:

Natalye Graham (6-11) took the crown on the mound with a complete game under her belt. She allowed 13 hits and limited Guilford to four runs (three earned) while striking out six. In the circle, starter Dillon Northen (Kernersville, N.C.) (5-3) was credited with the loss, allowing four runs (three earned) while surrendering six hits. Abbey Whelan (Gaithersburg, Md.) and Micah Wilson (Asheboro, N.C.) combined for 5.2 innings in relief, with Wilson throwing four solid innings despite a tough fifth where the Royals pulled away for good. Whelan struck out two while allowing three hits and three runs while Wilson four runs and five hits.

Guilford struck first, scoring in the top of the first as Olivia Shelton (Stokesdale, N.C.) singled, stole second, and came around on an RBI double from Williams (2-for-3, 2 RBIs). The Quakers added two more in the third, with Shiloh Gray (Lexington, N.C.) (3-for-4) doubling home Shelton and scoring on another RBI double from Williams.

Trailing 7-1 after two innings, the Quakers clawed back within four in the fifth when Brooke Goyings (Lake Villa, Ill.) (2-for-4) bunted for a hit and scored on an RBI single by Kaley Mitchell (Lake Waccamaw, N.C.). Guilford had several late chances but left 13 runners on base in the game. Shelton went 2-for-3 with a double and a stolen base, while Morgan Singletary (Laurel Hill, N.C.), Chloee Stoner (Salisbury, N.C.), and Corryn McCutchen (Carthage, N.C.) also recorded multi-base hits or runs scored.

EMU opened with intensity, scoring four in the first and three more in the second. The Royals were led by Meaghan Dean (4-for-4, 2 RBIs) and Destiny Jones (2-for-3, 2 RBIs). Madee Arbaugh also contributed a two-RBI double in the fifth to cap off the scoring.

Game Two:

Haley Lambert (4-6) earned the win with a complete-game effort, allowing two hits and two earned runs while striking out three. Gray (5-8) pitched 5.1 innings but dropped the decision, giving up three earned runs on nine hits while striking out four. Elizabeth Eller (North Wilkesboro, N.C.) made an appearance as well and closed the game with 0.2 innings in relief.

The Royals hit the ground running in the bottom of the second with a solo homer by Jones, but the Quakers answered in the fourth when Williams launched a two-run home run to left field, bringing home Alyssa Daniel (Spring Lake, N.C.), who had entered as a pinch runner for Gray. That blast gave GC a 2-1 lead, their first of the game.

EMU responded in the fifth and sixth innings, capitalizing on Guilford's defensive miscues. In the fifth, Grace Fravel drove in the tying run with an RBI single. Then, in the sixth, a pair of Guilford consecutive errors allowed Arbaugh to score the go-ahead run. Despite several chances, the Quakers could not push across another run in the final two frames. The home team tallied nine hits in the win, led by Emerson Adkins (2-for-3), Fravel (1-for-4, 1 RBI), and Arbaugh (1-for-3).

Offensively, Williams was the standout for Guilford, going 1-for-3 with both of the Quakers' RBIs. Wilson added a single, and Kelsey Buie (Lexington, N.C.) reached twice, stealing a base and getting hit by a pitch.
Averett University is up next for Guilford as the Quakers will host the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) foe at Haworth Field on Tuesday, April 22. First pitches are set for 2 PM and 4 PM for the doubleheader.
 
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