GREENSBORO, N.C. – Josh Shepherd’s bases-loaded single with no outs in the bottom of the tenth inning lifted Guilford College to a Wednesday afternoon victory over Greensboro College, 7-6.
The first seven innings witnessed a tight contest that featured only one half-inning where either side left more than one runner on base. Guilford claimed an early lead in the second frame on a two-out Mitchell Stumpo single. Greensboro tied the game in the top of the fifth inning Brandon Soden one-out single into left field.
Greensboro capitalized on three Guilford errors in the top of the eighth inning scoring two runs directly as a result of errors in the four-run inning. Guilford rallied with two outs in the next half-inning as Grayson Tuttle drove in two runs on a single to spark a three-run rally in the frame. Greensboro added an insurance run in the top of the ninth inning, but Logan Jones continued Guilford’s two-out magic with a two-run double down the left field line to tie the game. John Todd quickly sat down the Pride in the top of the tenth inning and the Quakers continued the momentum. Loading the bases with no outs, Greensboro brought in a fifth infielder from the outfield in a shift that left center field open. Shepherd singled against the shift, bringing home Brett Shapcott to end the game.
Jones led the Quakers at the plate, hitting three-for-five with two RBI. Four other Quakers posted a multi-hit effort, including Tuttle who finished two-for-two after entering the contest in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Adam Murray led the Pride at the plate, batting four-for-five with two double while Soden was the remaining Pride batter with a multi-hit afternoon, batting two-for-six with a triple and one RBI.
Todd (2-0) claimed the win for the Quakers, throwing a scoreless one and one-third innings to close the game. Caleb Gaster (Sanford, N.C./Southern Lee/Surry C.C.) earned the start in a three and two-third inning effort where gave up just two hits.
Will McGuire (1-3) took the loss for the Pride, throwing in the tenth inning. Josh Evans earned the start, giving up one run on five hits in three and two-third innings.
The Quakers (8-4) begin Old Dominion Athletic Conference play Saturday, beginning a two-game weekend series at Randolph-Macon College with a 2 p.m. contest.