Posted: Apr 11, 2012
These two teams previously faced each other on April 3rd, at Kiwanis Field. The Maroons trailed 7-6 entering the bottom of the seventh, but rallied to defeat the Quakers 11-8.
This win for Roanoke ties the second most wins in a season, as the Maroons won 15 games in both 2006 and 2008. With four regular season contests remaining, the Maroons have a chance to break the single season wins record, which now stands at 16, a record achieved in the 2004 season.
As the game opened up, Gulford hopped on the board early as they put up a run in each the first and third innings.
In the top of the fourth, the Maroons started to get rolling. Mark Manthe opened up the inning with a single to left. Matt Wallman and Bradley Mattox each reached base scoring Manthe. Alex Stepp singled to load the bases, then Caylen Baire hit a two RBI single to take the 3-2 lead. Brian Kluge then proceded to hit a two RBI double, increasing the Maroons lead to 5-2.
Roanoke put one more run on the board in the top of the sixth as Dalton Lipes hit an RBI single to score Baire.
The Quakers quickly responded in the bottom of the inning, scoring three runs off RBI singles from Casey Mann, Jordan Slate, and John Macon Smith. These three runs cut the deficit to 1, and a 6-5 Roanoke lead.
Guilford wasn't finished scoring, as the Quakers put four more runs on the board in the bottom of the seventh, taking a 9-6 lead.
However, the Quaker's lead was brief, as the Maroons came out swinging in the top of the eighth. With two outs, the Maroons hit three consecutive singles to load the bases. Jacob Clifton was then walked to score Lipes. Wallman then followed with a three RBI double to break the tie and take the 10-9 lead. Mattox singled to score Clifton and increase the lead to two, 11-9.
As the contest seemed to be coming to a close, the Kluge crossed the plate with two outs in the top of the ninth to bolster the Maroons' lead to three runs. That lead would hold, as the Maroons defeated Guilford with a final score of 12-9.
Four Maroons finished with three hits on the day: Kluge, Lipes, Ben Amos and Mattox. Matt Wallman went two-for-six but tallied a team high three RBIs and crossed the plate twice as well. The Maroons trailed in hits in the contest as Guilford finished with 20 hits to Roanoke's 18.
Cameron Holshouser picked up the win for the Maroons pitching the final two and a third innings of play. Tyler Grouten pitched the first five and a third, giving up five runs but striking out four.
The Maroons return to action on Saturday, April 14th as they play host to Eastern Mennonite University. The first pitch is scheduled for 12:00 PM. Saturday will also be important, as this double-header is part of Alumni Weekend. So come out and support the Maroons.
Don't forget to become a fan of Maroon Athletics on Facebook. You can also follow us on Twitter @rcmaroons. Be sure to check out Roanoke Athletic's Vimeo Channel on our athletics home page and watch various highlight clips from our home games. To keep up to date with Maroon athletics from your mobile phone, click HERE to access the mobile app.
Did you know you can view all home games live online? Click HERE to watch live webcasts of each scheduled home athletic event. You can also access live stats for each home event and select away games by clicking our “Live Stats” link on the athletic homepage.
