Guilford Tops Roanoke, 10-1 in ODAC Baseball Action

Guilford Tops Roanoke, 10-1 in ODAC Baseball Action
GREENSBORO, N.C. –Guilford defeated Roanoke, 10-1 in ODAC baseball action Wednesday afternoon at McBane Field. The Maroons are now 7-11, 0-5 in ODAC play while the Quakers improved to 7-12, 3-2 in the conference.
 
Sophomore right-hander Will James fanned a career-high six batters in seven innings to help the Quakers to their third-straight win. Roanoke, who defeated New England College, 11-5 on Tuesday night, remains winless in five conference games.
 
The Quakers had seven hits through four innings, including a two-run single by Montalbano in the third that opened a 4-0 lead. With his offense spotting him a 6-0 lead, James (1-3) cruised through the first three innings and left the bases loaded in the fourth.
 
The Maroons scored an unearned run in the fifth before James retired the side in order in the sixth and seventh frames. Will Henschel threw two perfect innings of relief as Guilford did not allow a base runner in the final four innings.
 
All nine Guilford batters recorded hits in the win. Kent Peterson, D.J. Phillips and Kyle Wooden all had two hits. Ben Esser was one-for-three with two RBI. Zach Montalbano was the highlight for GC, going 3-for-4 with a double and career-high four RBI.
 
Leadoff hitter Scott Thurston (Glen Allen, VA, J.R. Tucker) had two of Roanoke's four hits. Nick Sburlati (Blacksburg, VA, Blacksburg) was 1-for-3 and scored a run. Starter Michael Haslam (Collegeville, PA, Springfield) (2-4) allowed five earned runs and eight hits in six innings.
 
The Maroons return home tomorrow to take on Virginia Intermont in non-conference action. Roanoke is 7-5 against non-conference opponents this season, including a 1-0 mark against non-Div. III competition. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Kiwanis Field.