GREENSBORO, N.C. - The weather delay could not slow down the Guilford College softball team (16-22, 7-13 ODAC) as they edged out Averett University (17-21, 8-12 ODAC) in a tightly contested 3-2 victory in game one behind a sharp performance from Dillon Northen (Kernersville, N.C.) before the 8-4 win in game two. Kendall Boggs (Stoneville, N.C.) proved to be the X-factor in game two, going 2-for-3 with three RBIs, while Kalissa Williams (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) added to the offensive firepower with a perfect 3-for-3 performance, including a double and an RBI, playing a crucial role in Tuesday afternoon's win at Haworth Field.
 
Game One:

Northen (6-3), who earned the win with a complete-game effort in the circle, was efficient and composed across 7.0 innings, allowing just six hits and two earned runs while striking out two. Hannah Zabik (11-9) wore the L, allowing eight hits and unearned three runs over 6.0 innings while striking out four.

GC began to flourish early in the bottom of the first when Olivia Shelton (Stokesdale, N.C.) singled and eventually came around to score, alongside Kaley Mitchell (Lake Waccamaw, N.C.) on a defensive miscue. Shelton finished 2-for-3 with two runs scored, while Shiloh Gray (Lexington, N.C.) also went 2-for-3 to keep the pressure on Averett's pitching.

The game remained close throughout. Averett tied things up in the fourth on an RBI triple from Ally Testerman, who finished 2-for-3 with an RBI and was the Cougars' most consistent threat at the plate.

It did not take long for Guilford to respond. After back-to-back singles from Shelton and Gray, pinch runner Alyssa Daniel (Spring Lake, N.C.) stole second, setting up Williams for the go-ahead sacrifice fly. Williams earned the lone RBI for the Quakers, while Chloee Stoner (Salisbury, N.C.) added two hits and a stolen base. Just when the Quakers could see the finish line, Mother Nature reminded Greensboro that it was Earth Day and gifted Haworth Field a weather delay in the bottom of the sixth. Luckily Northen was throwing heat to finish off the seventh.

Game Two:

Gray (6-8) went the distance in the circle, allowing eight hits and four earned runs while striking out two across 7.0 innings. The senior also shined at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a run and consistently putting pressure on the Cougars' defense. Averett's pitching staff, Kaci Stephenson (4-10), Sarah Lysohir, and Zabik, combined to allow 13 hits, 8 runs (five earned), and three walks in the loss.

After falling behind 3-0 in the top of the first, GC responded with four runs in the second, highlighted by a two-RBI double from Boggs and a thrilling RBI single by Corryn McCutchen (Carthage, N.C.) to bring home Boggs and Stoner. GC took full advantage of an AU error to grab the lead and never looked back.

The Quakers kept the momentum rolling with insurance runs in the third, fifth, and sixth innings. Stoner (2-for-4, 2 R, 1 RBI) drove in Gray with a double in the third, and later scored herself on a single from Boggs. Williams delivered the final blow with a sixth-inning RBI double to bring home pinch-runner Nicole Gumula (Wellington, Fla.), who also stole a base.

For the Cougars, the early spark came from Angela Rodriguez with a two-run single in the first. Hannah Jones added a double and scored in the sixth, while Zabik and Carson Bradsher each notched RBI contributions.

The Quakers will look to carry that energy into the weekend as they close out their conference schedule versus the Maroons of Roanoke College for their Senior Day. Saturday, April 26 is when the action happens at Haworth Field starting at 1 PM for game one while game two is slated for 3 PM.

#GoQuakes