College Softball Finals: Guilford 5-3, Lynchburg 3-2

LYNCHBURG, Va.—Guilford College overcame a 3-0 game one deficit to lay the foundation for a Wednesday afternoon Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) sweep of Lynchburg College. The Quakers won game one, 5-3, and took the nightcap, 3-2, in a contest shortened to five innings due to darkness.

The Quakers (21-9, 9-3 ODAC) did most of their damage with less than two outs in each scoring inning of game one with their only run scored with two-outs came with the final run in the top of the seventh inning that concluded the three-run inning. Lynchburg (22-11, 10-4 ODAC) claimed two of their three runs with two outs as they took an early lead. Both teams capitalized on chances in the first contest, with each side only leaving four runners on base.

A one hour, 41 minute delay due to lightning and rain in the bottom of the second halted the Hornets’ momentum in game two after holding a 1-0 lead. Guilford produced their biggest rally in the top of the fourth frame with a pair of runs all scored with two outs as the sun began to set. With daylight running out, the Hornets mustered a quick one-run rally with two-outs, but the Quakers retired the Hornets one at-bat later.

Laura Hall led a balanced effort offensively for the Quakers, batting 2-for-5 over the doubleheader with one RBI and two stolen bases. Casey Snead launched a lead-off solo home run in the fifth inning of game one and was one of two Quakers to produce multiple hits in game one, with Calli Pastor joining Snead, batting 2-for-3. Courtney Lackey added a double and one RBI in game two, helping her pitching cause.

Lauren Smith was the lone Hornet to amass a multi-hit game for Lynchburg in game one, batting 2-for-3. Danielle Powell was the only Hornet in game two with multiple hits, knocking two home runs, one in a last-second rally in the fifth inning of game two, for her two hits while totaling two RBI.

Maggie Shaffer (5-3) took the complete-game victory in game one walking just one batter and only being charged with one earned run. Courtney Lackey (5-1) claimed the complete-game victory in the second contest, striking out three.

Conner English (7-4) claimed the game one loss for Lynchburg, being charged for just two earned runs while giving up eight hits and fanning seven in six and one-third innings. Hope Johnson (8-5) took the game two loss throwing a complete-game while striking out four and walking three.

The Quakers return home Saturday, hosting Randolph-Macon College in a 1:30 p.m. doubleheader at Haworth Field.