College Softball Finals: Guilford 6—8, Averett 12—4

DANVILLE, Va.—Guilford College and Averett University split a softball doubleheader Saturday afternoon with the Cougars winning game one, 12-6, and the Quakers taking the nightcap, 8-4.

The Quakers brought in game one’s first run when Cynthia Hayes (Seagrove, N.C./Southwestern Randolph) scored as a result of a Taylor Boyd rundown on the base paths.

Averett would counter in the next three innings with eight runs, including two RBI a piece for Jessye Crews, Taylor Dix, and Rhyan Scearce.

The Quakers would mount a four-run rally in the fifth inning, sparked by a Hayes double to center field. Shelby Helms followed by reaching on a fielder’s choice in a pinch hit situation that produced two runs thanks to a throwing error to cut at the Cougar lead, 8-4. Rachel Howard finished the Quaker rally with a RBI-single up the middle.

After the Cougars countered with four more runs of their own, Calli Pastor would score on a wild pitch after drawing a walk and stealing second base in the top of the sixth inning.

The Quakers would storm back in the first inning of game two with a three-run rally thanks to a RBI-single from Marty Wilcox and a two-RBI single from Pastor. Pastor would generate more offense for the Quakers in the top of the third inning by reaching base on a throwing error, scoring Wilcox. Casey Snead, the starting pitcher of game two, helped her own cause with an infield single that advanced Pastor home after another throwing error, increasing the Quaker lead, 5-0.

After Averett countered with four runs over the next three innings, Boyd drove home Hayes to start a rally in the top of the sixth inning. Wilcox followed with a walk capped by a wild pitch that scored Laura Hall. Helms would complete the rally by reaching first on an illegal pitch to cushion the Quaker lead, 8-4.

Maggie Shaffer (4-1) rebounded from a game one loss, pitching three and two thirds innings of relief of Snead while surrendering just one earned run on three hits. Snead threw the first three and a third innings, also surrendering just one earned run on three hits.

The Quakers (5-1) return home to face Ferrum College tomorrow at 2 p.m.