Game One:
Abbey Whelan (Gaithersburg, Md.) earned the win in relief with an impressive three-inning performance that shut down WPU's offense. Entering the game with Guilford trailing, Whelan allowed just three hits over 3.0 scoreless innings, striking out two without issuing a walk. She also influenced five flyouts and two groundouts on just 25 pitches, providing stability and giving the Quakers the opportunity to mount its late-game comeback.
Offensively, Stoner paced the Quakers with three RBIs and reached base multiple times, while Wilson and
Alyssa Daniel (Spring Lake, N.C.) came up with crucial late-inning hits. Throughout the game, Guilford was aggressive, with Stoner, Williams, and Daniel each recording a stolen base that kept the pressure on Peace's defense.
The Quakers' resilience was on full display as GC overcame an early 8-3 deficit, scoring six runs over the final two innings to secure a dramatic walk-off win. As for the Pacers, in the fifth inning, it was all about WPU's attack that continued to score three runs. Caroline Burdsal's sacrifice fly increased the margin to 8-3. Stewart, who went 3-for-4 with a double, home run, and three RBIs, was the Pacers' offensive leader. Cierra Lear added three hits, including a double, to the total.
The rally began in the sixth, sparked by clutch hits from
Chloee Stoner (Salisbury, N.C.) and
Avery Lowe (Greensboro, N.C.), trimming the lead to 8-6. In the seventh, Guilford's offense erupted—
Micah Wilson (Asheboro, N.C.) delivered a game-tying two-RBI single, and with runners in scoring position,
Cassie Turner (Burlington, N.C.) capped the comeback with a walk-off RBI single to seal the 9-8 victory.
Game Two:
The nightcap was an offensive battle that saw Guilford fall just short, 13-11, despite another late surge. With Caroline Burdsal's double setting the tone and Adanya Day's RBI double sparking the early run, the Pacers hurled out of the gate in the top of the first inning. The lead was increased by timely singles by Day and others, as well as a home run by Megan McAnany, and the offense continued to score in the second and third innings.
Morgan Singletary (Laurel Hill, N.C.) provided an early spark with a two-run homer in the second inning, igniting the Quakers' offense. Guilford trailed by as many as eight runs but clawed back with a six-run fifth inning—highlighted by Stoner's RBI single, Wilson's two-run hit, and
Mary Buckner's (Cary, N.C.) sacrifice fly to bring the Quakers within two.
Guilford's lineup showed depth with contributions from Lowe (two hits, RBI), Daniel (RBI single, stolen base), and Turner (RBI single off the bench). The Quakers capitalized on Peace's defensive lapses and wild pitches, keeping the pressure on until the final out. Despite the loss, Guilford's perseverance and late-inning production were key takeaways from the home-opener doubleheader.
The Quakers head into their next matchup against Meredith College on Sunday with momentum, having shown they can rally against tough competition. First pitch is set for 12 PM for game one and 2 PM for game two.
#GoQuakes
