RALEIGH, N.C. – Guilford College softball team (8-7-1, 0-0 ODAC) battled through a pair of clashes against William Peace University (8-6, 0-0 USA South) in a midweek matchup that was driven by star-studded offensive performances on both sides, with the Quakers falling short, 8-6, in game one, but prevailing in game two, 3-0, on the back of Abbey Whelan's (Gaithersburg, Md.) gem of an outing on Wednesday evening at William Peace Softball Field.
 
Kalissa Williams (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) was on the mound for a short stint in the opening contest for Guilford, only throwing 1.0 innings, surrendering a battering seven runs, six earned, on seven hits, and one walk for the loss to drop to 1-2 on the year. Shiloh Gray (Lexington, N.C.) would enter in relief for the Quakers and become efficient in her 5.0 innings of work, dropping only one earned run on five hits, three walks, and striking out five in the process.
 
Reagan Stewart would get the nod for William Peace, displaying a rocky performance in the circle, tossing all 7.0 innings, giving up six runs, five earned, on 11 knocks, two walks, and striking out three, barely escaping with the victory to advance to 6-1 overall.
 
The bats would become electric for Guilford as Keiya Bullock (Peletier, N.C.) led the charge, recording 3-for-3 with one run scored and one walk. Nicole Gumula (Wellington, Fla.) would follow suit with a 2-for-2 showing of her own, scoring once off the Savannah Newton (Concord, N.C.) fielder's choice. Newton would contribute to the Quakers' chance at a comeback, slashing 1-for-5 with one run and four RBIs, sending a home run out of the park in the fourth. Shiloh Gray (Lexington, N.C.) contributed to Guilford's scoring chances with her 2-for-4 display, scoring once.
 
Alli Bordwine topped the Pacers performers in the early afternoon battle, bashing 3-for-3 with two runs, one RBI, one walk, and one base swiped. Reagan Stewart added on to the Pacers' run total, logging 2-for-4 with one run and one RBI.
 
Abbey Whelan (Gaithersburg, Md.) started in the circle for the Quakers in game two, notching a stellar quality start in her 7.0 innings thrown, only giving up five hits, one walk, and punching out five for the victory to advance to 2-2 on the season.
 
Kimberly Bordeaux showed equivalent talents to Whelan for William Peace, however would falter midway through in her 7.0 inning outing, surrendering three runs, one earned, off three hits, striking out one batter for the loss to drop to 2-5 overall.
 
Brooke Goyings (Lake Villa, Ill.) topped the Guilford performers at the dish, bashing 2-for-3 with one RBI. Kaylyn Little (Locust, N.C.) would follow suit, hitting 1-for-3 at the plate, with one RBI, and one run scored.
 
Not much production occurred on offense for William Peace as Cierra Lear recorded 1-for-4 at the plate, while Isabelle Olsen slashed 1-for-3 as well.
 
GAME 1     
Allison Burlew kicked off the scoring for William Peace in the first, driving in two off her single. Marissa Fuller would extend the Pacers' lead early with a double of her own into left. Savannah Newton (Concord, N.C.) matched the scoring with sending in a Guilford run early in the second on a groundout. However, the Pacer bats would become blazing hot in the bottom of the second as William Peace scored five runs off two hits, two Quaker errors, and off a fielder's choice.
 
Newton bashed a long home run in the fourth, sending home Keiya Bullock (Peletier, N.C.) and Nicole Drew (Raleigh, N.C.) to cut Guilford's deficit to four. Nicole Gumula (Wellington, Fla.) drove in two as well off her single in the seventh, putting Guilford down 8-6. However, that would not be enough to overcome, as the Pacers would escape a late jam to capture the 8-6 victory in the opening clash.
 
GAME 2
Little scoring progressed in the early stages of the closing matchup as Guilford would take advantage of many defensive mistakes by William Peace. The Quakers would strike first with an RBI-double into left by Kaylyn Little (Locust, N.C.). Brooke Goyings (Lake Villa, Ill.) added to the Guilford scoring, sending in Little off a fielder's choice groundout.
 
Nicole Gumula (Wellington, Fla.) added a Quaker-run of her own, advancing off a passed ball to drive in Savannah Newton (Concord, N.C.) in the process. Throughout the clash, Abbey Whelan (Gaithersburg, Md.) would keep the Pacers scoreless, tossing seven shutout frames, sealing the deal to propel the Quakers to victory, 3-0 over William Peace.
 
Guilford opens up ODAC action with a pair against Sweet Briar College on Saturday, March 21st, at Sweet Briar Softball Field. Game one is scheduled for 1:00 PM, while game two is set for 3:00 PM.
 
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