GREENSBORO, N.C. – John Macon Smith had three hits, including his NCAA Division III-leading 11th homer of the season, and a career-high six RBI in Guilford College’s 18-5 win over Eastern Mennonite University Sunday. Justin Pittman also homered for Guilford in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) baseball game at McBane Field.
The Quakers (21-16, 9-7 ODAC) banged out 18 hits for the fifth time this season and batted around in the fourth and seventh innings. They scored a season-high 18 runs in the win. Smith was a single shy of hitting for the cycle and also scored three times. He had an RBI double in the first and a two-run triple in the six-run fourth, which opened an 8-2 Guilford advantage. Smith drew a bases-loaded walk in the eight-run seventh and capped the Quakers’ scoring with a two-run blast in the eighth inning.
Junior D.J. Phillips was three-for-six with three RBI and three runs scored. Sophomore Will Byrd also had three hits, a career high. Senior Zack Montalbano doubled among his two hits and added three RBI.
Freshman Justin Morrison (5-3) was the beneficiary of the offensive outburst. The right-hander went five innings in his first ODAC start and earned his team-leading fifth win of the season. Will James threw three innings and Eric Backus pitched the ninth.
The Royals (11-23, 4-11 ODAC) had 14 hits themselves, but Guilford turned three double plays and Eastern Mennonite stranded 10. Jonathan Estrada was three-for-three with a triple and three RBI. Beau Banglesdorf also had three hits, including his third home run of the year. Senior starter Andy Richter fell to 1-6 with the loss.
Guilford, which has its most wins in a season since 2006, visits NAIA Montreat College Wednesday (4/18) at 3:00 p.m.