GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Guilford College Baseball Team (4-7, 1-2 ODAC) picked up an 8-5 win over visiting Emory & Henry College (1-6, 0-1 ODAC) Wednesday afternoon at McBane Field. The contest was the first for the Wasps in 18 days, as they last played on Saturday, February 14.
After two and a half scoreless innings to start the game, the Quakers got their first run in the bottom of the third. Guilford scored six runs in the fifth to push the margin to 7-0. A two-run double to centerfield by Chuck Noble and a base-clearing single to center field by Herc Ingles highlighted the frame.
Emory & Henry got on the board in the sixth frame. After senior designated hitter Kevin Nelson (Johnson City, Tenn.) hit a two-out single to start things off, junior right fielder Brandon Lineberry (Hillsville, Va.) doubled to right field to drive in the run.
Guilford added a run in the sixth to extend the lead back to seven runs (8-1). The Wasps answered with two runs in the seventh one of which came on a double by right field by sophomore left fielder Matthew Whisnant (Hickory, N.C.). Whisnant came around to score on the next batter on a throwing error by the pitcher.
The Wasps added two more runs in the eighth for the final 8-5 margin. Lineberry got things started with a solo home run with two outs while freshman Carson Bryant (Hickory, N.C.) came around to score two batters later on a single by freshman catcher Brandon Whitaker (Walnut Cove, N.C.).
Noble went three-for-five with three RBI to lead Guilford while Ingles and Tyler Petersen had a pair of hits in the game. Darin Salter scattered eight hits and three strikeouts over six innings allowing one run, earning his second win of the year.
Emory & Henry was paced by Lineberry, who went three-for-four with two doubles, two RBI and a run scored and sophomore second baseman Jacob Lykins (Hickory, N.C.) with three hits and a run. Whisnant, Whitaker and senior first baseman Bransen Christopher (Hickory, N.C.) each had two hits in the game. Freshman right-hander Austin Kiser (Rosedale, Va.) suffered the loss, allowing four earned runs on eight hits in 4.1 innings pitched.
The Wasps will be back in action on Saturday when they host the Royals of Eastern Mennonite University in an ODAC doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for noon.
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