College Baseball Final – Guilford 9, Roanoke 7

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Guilford College’s baseball team used a six-run fifth inning to rally past visiting Roanoke College in Wednesday’s 9-7 Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) triumph.

Nathan Fulbright and Jacob Roberts both had two-run singles in the decisive inning, which turned a 6-3 Guilford deficit into a 9-6 advantage. Roanoke’s Seth Bradley relieved starter Harrrison Richards to start the fifth, but did not record an out. Six straight Quakers reached base, including Fulbright, whose two-run single tied the game at 6-6 and ended Bradley’s day.

Diego Meneses replaced Bradley (0-1) and got Tyler Wilson to hit into a fielder’s choice for the inning’s first out. Austin Wilson’s single loaded the bases for Roberts, who singled through the left side, plating two go-ahead runs. Kyle Humphrey’s two-out double scored Roberts and opened the 9-6 edge.
Guilford reliever Nick Blackwood (1-0) earned his first win of 2015 with three innings of one-run ball in relief of Darin Salter. Blackwood fanned four before giving way to Andrew Martin and Justin Morrison, both threw a scoreless inning to finish the game. Morrison notched his team-leading second save of 2015 and was one of four Guilford pitchers who combined for 10 strikeouts and just one walk.

Roberts and Humphrey were two of five Quakers with at least two hits. Teammate Josh Shepherd was two-for-three with a double, two RBI and two runs scored. Wilson and Tyler Peterson also had two hits apiece.

Roanoke’s Will Decker went three-for-five with a two-run, first-inning homer. Craig Kiley had two doubles among his three hits and the Maroons’ Collier Donald went two-for-four with two RBI.

Coach Nick Black’s ’02 Quakers (10-19, 6-11 ODAC) visit league-rival Eastern Mennonite University Saturday (4/11) for an ODAC doubleheader.