GREENSBORO, N.C. – John Macon Smith (Greensboro, N.C./Western Guilford (Western Carolina)) homered for the fourth time in three games to help Guilford College to an 11-5 baseball win over the University of Maine-Presque Isle (UMPI). The nonconference contest was called after four and a half innings because of strong storms.
The Quakers (4-2) jumped on UMPI starter Andy Brown (0-1) for nine runs in the first inning, including Smith’s two-run homer. Guilford had six of their 10 hits in the first inning and also took advantage of two errors and a wild pitch. The Quakers’ Justin Pittman (Archdale, N.C./Trinity) had a two-run single in the inning, one of his three hits in the game.
Eric Backus (1-0) earned the victory in his first outing of the season. He was touched for five runs in five innings, including two two-run homers by Owls’ designated hitter Ted Walker.
Guilford hosts Southern Virginia University in a doubleheader Saturday (2/25). The start time for the games has been moved from noon to 1:00 p.m.