GREENSBORO, N.C. – Guilford College’s Shelby Helms led the Quakers with a pair of game-one home runs while Courtney Lackey pitched a game-two shutout as the Quakers claimed a Saturday afternoon sweep of Meredith College with a 10-5 win in game one followed by a victory in the nightcap, 2-0. Head Coach Dennis Shores earned his 200th Guilford win with the game one victory.
Helms’ two home runs came in the bottom of the second inning of the first contest where the Quakers poured an eight-run inning on Meredith where the Quakers (2-0) batted around the entire order and ran game-one starting pitcher Taylor Jackson out of the contest. Meredith posted a three-run fourth inning in response as Maria Annunziata powered the Avenging Angels with a three-run home run to cap a string of three-straight hits with no outs before Guilford regained control and sat down the next three batters. The Avenging Angels continued their rally in the top of the sixth inning with a two-run rally, all with one out before two fielder’s choice plays closed the inning. A Calli Pastor two-out two-RBI single provided insurance one-half inning later extend the lead. Meredith loaded the bases with one out, but Makayla Carver rallied to strike out and ground out Meredith to close the contest.
Caroline Barnette started the Guilford rally in game two, driving in Carver who doubled down the left field line to lead off the bottom of the first frame, as the Quakers claimed an early 1-0 lead. Jordan Starke added insurance for the Quakers in the bottom of the fourth inning with a two-out single. Lackey cruised throughout most of the game, but Meredith loaded the bases with two-outs in the top of the sixth inning, but Lackey induced a fly-out to end the inning. Lackey would only allow one base runner with one out in the final inning as the Quakers earned the doubleheader sweep.
Helms drove in three runs as part of a three-for-four game one, which would be the lone multi-hit effort for the Quakers over both games. Calli Pastor and freshman Sabrina Moreno each drove in two runs in the first contest. Carver finished two-for-six with a double over both contests while driving in a game-one run.
Eran Artigues led the Avenging Angels, batting four-for-six over both contests while Annunziata finished three-for-six with three RBI.
Maggie Shaffer (1-0) claimed the game-one victory for the Quakers in a four-inning effort. She struck out three batters while giving up three earned runs on five hits. Carver claimed her first collegiate save in game one, throwing the final three innings where she struck out three batters and gave up one earned run on five hits. Lackey (1-0) took the game-two win scattering eight hits and striking out three in a complete-game effort.
Jackson (1-1) claimed the loss in a one and one-third inning effort, giving up six runs on three hits while walking four and striking out one. Lauren Marbrey (1-1) claimed the game-two loss in a complete-game effort giving up two runs on seven hits while walking and striking out one batter a piece.
The Quakers continue their weekend action tomorrow, traveling to Raleigh to face William Peace University for a 1 p.m. doubleheader.