FERRUM, Va. - Not the greatest, but not the worst day for Guilford's softball team, finally breaking their four-game losing streak in game one against Ferrum College at the Vickie Van Kleeck Softball Complex, 7-0. However, a tough loss in game two came after a late game collapse from the visitors, falling 8-7.

This result keeps Guilford's record even at 13-13, and 5-5 in conference play. For the opposing Panthers, their record becomes 6-22, and a conference record of 4-8.

The pitching win for game one is credited to Shiloh Gray (Lexington, N.C.), who threw for the entire seven innings. Facing 26 batters, Gray allowed for just six hits on her account and no runs were recorded for Ferrum. 

Guilford's offense was hot in game one, both Kassidy Lancos (Irvine, Calif.) and Grace Calus (Creedmoor, N.C.)  scoring two runs each. Additionally, another four players brought runs all the way home. Ferrum went scoreless, which resulted in a 7-0 Quaker victory. 

For the second contest, Dillon Northen (Kernersville, N.C.) started at the mound for the first 2.1 innings before a change was made. On her account, Ferrum brought home three runs. Next, Alexis Lester (Elkin, N.C.) tried to turn things around but was unsuccessful, as the Panthers scored another four. Lester struckout one and faced 16 batters. Lastly, Morgan Kinney (Browns Summit, N.C.) pitched for the last 1.1 innings. The decision was recorded on her account, taking the pitching loss. Her pitching record dropped to 2-2. 

Guilford got an early lead, but was unable to hold it up throughout all seven innings. This resulted in a last minute loss for the Quakers, a big upset after winning game one, and being so close to a full sweep. Ultimately, due to an outfield error, the Quakers fell, 8-7.

GAME 1

After losing the past four games, the Guilford offense of weeks' prior came back to life. The Quakers first got on the board in the second inning, Makenley Mitchell (Clemmons, N.C.) doubling down the left field. Following this, Kaci Johnson (Winterville, N.C.) singled up the middle, en route to Mitchell running two bases, all the way home. 

In the top of the third, Calus singled to the shortstop, bringing Lacos home. She then stole second, and then made it to third on a throwing error by Ferrum's catcher. On the next play, with Gray at bat, Callus makes it home, though the run was ruled unearned. 

No runs were recorded in the fourth inning, but the fifth opened up with Chloee Stoner (Salisbury, N.C.) walking and then advancing to second on a wild pitch. Callus doubled to left field, bringing Stoner to third. Finally, she makes it home in the time Gray fouled to the shortstop. 

The sixth inning had quite the opening. Faith Fennell (Buena Park, Calif.) walked and then stole two bases. The next at bat, Emma Patterson (Mocksville, N.C.), began in similar fashion, walking, and then stealing one base. Eventually, both Fennell and Patterson made it around the diamond, tallying the last two runs of the game, a final score of 7-0.

GAME 2

The second contest of the doubleheader went severely different from the first. However, Guilford did snag an early lead, grasping four runs in the first inning alone. All four of these runs happened in a ripple effect, one play after the next. Stoner, Calus, Gray, and Mitchell added to the board in the first frame. 

Going into the third inning, the score stood at 4-0, not for long as the Quakers tagged on another two runs. Gray started Guilford's lineup in the third inning, making it to first after singling up the middle, then to second on a wild pitch. After a few series of events, Gray eventually did make it all the way home. Afterwards, Alli Clemons (Cocoa, Fla.) scored, due to a throwing error by the Panthers' shortstop. At this moment, Guilford had a significant lead, 6-0.

This all began to change from here on out. In the bottom of the third, Ferrum tacked on three runs. In the fourth inning, both squads scored one. This was Lancos' third run of the day, but the last of the day for the Quakers. The fifth inning was quiet for both teams but the sixth brought another three runs for Ferrum, tying the game at seven. Guilford's last opportunity at bat in the seventh, was unsuccessful. On the other hand, Ferrum took the game, adding one final run to the board, and claiming the victory, 8-7. 

Guilford's long away stretch finally concludes, as they finally return home to Haworth Field for a conference doubleheader against Bridgewater College on Saturday, April 13. Game times are scheduled for 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.