GREENSBORO, N.C. – The eighth-seeded Guilford College softball team (18-22-1, 8-12 ODAC) entered the conference tournament for the first time since 2024, battling toe-to-toe against No. 1 nationally-ranked and top-seeded Virginia Wesleyan University (41-0, 20-0 ODAC), in control on offense throughout the clash with Guilford becoming the 11th time an NCAA program has scored multiple runs against the Marlins this season, unfortunately falling shy of the comeback, 7-2, on Friday evening at the Moyer Sports Complex.
Dillon Northen (Kernersville, N.C.) received the nod for the Quakers in the circle, faltering late in an outstanding effort tossing 4.0 innings, allowing six runs, five earned, on ten hits and one walk for the loss, falling to 6-3 on the year.
Abbey Whelan (Gaithersburg, Md.) entered in relief in helping to keep Guilford in the game through her 2.0 innings, surrendering one earned run on two hits, one walk, and striking out one batter.
Hannah Hearl got the start for the nationally-recognized Marlins, pitching 4.0 superb frames, only allowing one earned run on four hits, punching out four batters for the victory, advancing to 21-0 overall. Emma Adams closed things out for Virginia Wesleyan in a save situation, throwing 3.0 innings, giving up one run on one hit, striking out one in the process.
Kalissa Williams (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) pushed the momentum back in the Quakers' favor, slashing 1-for-3 with one run, one RBI, and one home run.
Chloee Stoner (Salisbury, N.C.) added two more knocks to her name, bashing 2-for-3 with one run.
Kaylyn Little (Locust, N.C.) and
Brooke Goyings (Lake Villa, Ill.) rounded out Guilford's offensive production, both hitting 1-for-3 and 1-for-2, respectively.
Taylor Mcqueen dominated for the Marlins at the dish, slashing 3-for-4 with three runs, two RBIs, a double, a home run, and two bases swiped. Sarah Prosser followed suit with a 2-for-3 outing, batting in one, and stealing a base. Alison Pollack tied the bow for Virginia Wesleyan off her 1-for-4 outing, scoring twice, batting in one, and launching a home run.
After a scoreless first, Sarah Prosser sent one home for the Marlins off her RBI-single after Olivia Knight's sac fly. Knight added to Virginia Wesleyan's tally off her RBI-double to snatch a 3-0 lead in the third.
Kalissa Williams (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) responded quickly for Guilford in the fourth, launching a long home run into left center, cutting the Quakers' deficit to two.
The Marlins matched Guilford's scoring off home runs by Taylor Mcqueen and Alison Pollack in the fifth to collect three more runs to take a 3-1 lead. Morgan Tucker closed Virginia Wesleyan's run total off her sac-fly in the sixth.
Kaylee Harris (Mooresville, N.C.) grounded into a fielder's choice to send home one in the seventh for Guilford, just falling shy of the resurgence for a 7-2 result in favor of Virginia Wesleyan.
Guilford will draw fifth-seeded Roanoke College in a win-or-go-home scenario on Saturday, May 2nd, on field one of the Moyer Sports Complex. First pitch set for 2:00 PM.
#GoQuakes
