EMORY, Va. – Emory & Henry handed the Guilford baseball team its fifth setback of the season on Wednesday when it capitalized on three multi-run innings, including a seven-run eighth, to earn a 13-5 win in ODAC action on Wednesday, March 24th.
Guilford (0-5, 0-5 ODAC) was led at the plate by designated hitter Bryce Vestal, who finished 2-for-3 from the plate with two RBI and two runs scored, which came by virtue of a home run. Ellis Stokes was also responsible for an RBI after finishing 1-for-4 in the game. Joey Hegeman (0-1) suffered the setback, tossing 3.1 innings, allowing five hits, six runs (five earned) and recording one strikeout.
The Wasps (1-4, 1-4 ODAC) combined for 11 hits, led by the trio of Jacob Zoller (3-4, 2 runs), Eli Milhorn (2-4, 3 RBI, run) and Chandler Kezele (2-5, 5 RBI, 2 runs, HR). Jordan Smith (1-0) picked up the win in relief after heaving 3.2 innings, allowing two hits and recording four strikeouts along the way.
The first run of the game for the Quakers came in the top of the first when Stokes delivered a single through the left side of the infield that plated Sam Mennitt. Emory & Henry answered with three runs in the home half of the frame after a series of run scoring singles by Kezele, Hayden Milley and Nathan Treadway.
Isaiah Hairston trimmed the E&H lead to one, 3-2, in the top of the third with a single back to the pitcher that brought home teammate Clay Dilday from third base. Vestal followed that with a fourth inning home run, giving the Guilford a 4-3 advantage, but the Wasps retaliated with a three-run fourth that came as a result of a hit by pitch and a two-RBI single to right delivered off the bat of Milhorn.
Guilford regained the lead in the top of the eighth when Michael Sumner reached first on a throwing error at short, allowing Vestal to cross the plate. With the game deadlocked at five-all, Emory & Henry’s Jared Foley singled up the middle to score Jacob Zoller from second base. Milhorn added the seventh run on a walk, scoring Foley from third.
Milley reached on a fielder’s choice at shortstop, plating Connor Buchanan as Emory & Henry extended the lead to 9-5. With the bases loaded, Kezele drove a grand slam home run over the right field wall, making for the 13-5 final.
The Quakers return to action on Sunday, March 28th, when they return to Commonwealth of Virginia to face Hampden-Sydney at 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. For more information on Guilford baseball check out www.guilfordquakers.com.