GREENSBORO, N.C. – Alex Dockery’s single in the top of the tenth inning gave Methodist University the lead as Guilford College fell to Methodist in a Thursday afternoon contest, 8-7, in ten innings.
The Quakers (11-9) rallied with two outs in the bottom of the first inning to claim a 2-0 lead, sparked by a Joe Metts triple. Two Methodist hits one half-inning later helped to tie the game as the Monarchs took advantage of a Pete Wildeboer double. The Quakers reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the third frame as two errors gave Guilford an advantage, capped by Metts’ double. The Monarchs produced three runs on just two hits one half-inning later as two runs were scored on outs. The Monarchs scored twice in the top of the fifth inning in a rally capped by an Adam Gunn walk to extend the lead, 7-4.
A.J. Girting put the Quakers within one run in the bottom of the eighth frame on a two-out single in a rally started by a Chuck Noble double. Metts tied the game in the bottom of the ninth inning with two outs on a single as Guilford moved runners around the base paths with ease to send the game to extra innings. With two outs and a runner on second base in the top of the tenth inning, Dockery hit a single to center field to bring home the game-winning run. The Quakers mounted a rally where Guilford placed the potential game-tying run on third base thanks to a wild pitch, but Methodist rallied to end the game.
Metts finished three-for-five and was a home run away from hitting for the cycle. The freshman totaled three RBI on the afternoon. Noble finished three-for-five with a double and one RBI. Josh Shepherd hit two-for-four with one RBI and threw one and one-third inning, giving up just one hit while striking out two batters and walking one.
Dockery finished four-for-five to lead Methodist with three RBI and a double. Wildeboer hit three-for-six with two RBI and a double.
Jake Watkins (1-0) took the loss for Guilford, throwing the tenth inning where he struck out one batter. Five Guilford pitchers threw in the contest, with Drew Martin being one of two Guilford pitchers to hold Methodist without a run in the contest thanks to his one and one-third inning effort.
Logan Haines (1-0) claimed the win for Methodist, throwing the tenth inning. The Monarchs threw seven pitchers on the afternoon, led by Thomas Dean’s two shut-out innings.
The Quakers return back to Old Dominion Athletic Conference play Saturday, hosting Shenandoah University in a 1 p.m. doubleheader.