DANVILLE, Va. – Guilford College rallied in the final two innings but fell short as the Quakers dropped a Wednesday afternoon contest to Averett University, 6-4.
Averett (18-8) held a 3-0 lead after four innings before the Quakers (8-18) manufactured a run in the fifth inning when Tyler Petersen produced a two-out single to left field. The Quakers repeated the feat one inning later when A.J. Girting brought home Josh Shepherd. A J.T. Crowder RBI-single for Everett and a wild pitch provided two insurance runs for the Quakers in the bottom of the seventh frame to widen the lead.
The Quakers loaded the bases after a Chuck Noble sacrifice fly, but the Cougars retired the Quakers on a pop fly in the infield. After a Drew Evans sacrifice fly for Averett in the bottom of the eighth, the Quakers placed runners at the first and second after Logan Jones scored on a throwing error, but the Cougars would secure the final out.
Girting finished the afternoon 2-for-4 with one RBI while Petersen joined Girting with the multi-hit effort, batting 2-for-5. Shepherd was the remaining Quaker with multiple hits, finishing 2-for-4 with a double.
Averett’s Nic Futrell led the Cougars, batting 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI. Evans drove in two runs in spite of not registering a hit on the afternoon.
Lou Trosch (0-2) was one of five pitchers used by the Quakers on the day, throwing two innings and giving up one run on three hits while walking and striking out one. Chase Shuford led Guilford’s relievers, giving up no runs or hits in the fifth inning while facing five batters.
Timothy Coston (5-1) claimed the win for Averett, giving up three runs (one un-earned) on seven hits while striking out and walking four batters in seven and two-thirds innings. Kyle Walsh collected his second save of the season giving up one un-earned run with two walks and one strike out.
Coach Nick Black’s Quakers return to action Saturday, traveling to Hampden-Sydney College for a noon Old Dominion Athletic Conference doubleheader.