College Baseball Final – Guilford 11, Tufts 6

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Josh Shepherd had four of Guilford College’s season-high 18 hits in the Quakers’ 11-6 baseball win over visiting Tufts University Monday. Shepherd, Trevor Denton, and Ryan Hill each knocked in two runs as Guilford (10-8-1) won for the sixth time in eight games.

Pitcher Zach Dinkins (1-0) was the benefactor of Guilford’s offensive explosion. The sophomore transfer from Lenoir-Rhyne University won his first college game with a five-inning stint in which he allowed five hits. Dinkins yielded to rookie Sean Kinloch in the top of the sixth inning and left with a 5-1 lead.

Tufts scored twice in the sixth and drew to within 5-4 on Ryan Day’s two-out, RBI single. Brody Holloman replaced Kinloch and after walking Tommy O’Hara, got clean-up hitter Nick Falkson to fly out and end the inning. The Quakers tacked on three insurance runs in the seventh and eighth innings, but Holloman remained in the game and collected his first save of the year.

Michael Pinkston added three hits and was one of nine starting field players with base hits for the Quakers. Brett Shapcott, Mitchell Stumpo, Trevor Denton, and Hill each had two hits apiece.

Tufts starter Ian Kinney (0-1) yielded three runs and seven hits in four innings. O’Hara went 2-4 with two RBI and Malcolm Nachmanoff also had two hits.

Coach Nick Black’s Quakers visit league-rival Roanoke College Wednesday (3/21) evening.