Posted: Apr 08, 2015
The loss to Guilford puts an end to the Maroons eight-game ODAC win streak. The Maroons had won eight straight spanning back to March 15th with an 11-10 win over Hampden-Sydney. Due to the inclement weather in Salem, the two teams switched the home/away contest with their next meeting on April 14th.
Roanoke got off to a stellar start in the first inning as Will Decker hit a two run home run down the left field line, bringing home Will Black. The Roanoke lead didn't last long as Guilford put up two runs in the bottom of the first as well. Josh Shepherd hit an RBI single through the right side to score Herc Ingels. Shepherd would later score on a throwing error, tying the game at 2-2 after one inning.
The Maroons reclaimed the lead in the top of the third, as Craig Kiley hit an RBI double to left center field, bringing around Brian Kluge. Roanoke added on to the lead in the top of the fourth, as Collier Donald hit a two RBI single through the left side, plating Cal Hodgert and Clark Crutchfield. Will Black went on to hit a sacrifice fly ball to center field, scoring Donald and taking a 6-2 lead.
Guilford scored one run in the bottom of the fourth to cut the deficit to three runs, 6-3. However, the Quakers ran away with the contest in the bottom of the fifth by scoring six runs. Nathan Fulbright and Jacob Roberts each had a two-RBI single through the left side, while Kyle Humphrey and Josh Shepherd each tallied RBI hits of their own. After five innings, Roanoke trailed 9-6. The Maroons tried to bounce back in the top of the seventh, with one run as Kevin Oakey hit an RBI single allowing Kiley to cross the plate. However, that would be the final run of the game as the Maroons fell 9-7 to Guilford.
The Maroons were led in hitting by Craig Kiley and Will Decker, who both went 3-5 on the day. Decker also finished with one run and two RBIs. Collier Donald went 2-4 with one run and two RBIs. Seth Bradley was tabbed with the loss, giving up five runs off four hits in 0.0 innings pitched. Richards led off the contest for Roanoke with 4.0 innings pitched with three runs off five hits.
The Quakers finished with 13 hits on the evening. There were five different players who tallied two hits each, while Josh Shepherd and Tyler Petersen each finished with two runs. Shepherd and Nathan Fulbright tallied two RBIs, while Jacob Roberts knocked in three runs. Nick Blackwood earned the win with 3.0 innings pitched, giving up one run off five hits, while striking out four.
The Maroons return to action on Saturday, April 11th as they travel to Virginia Beach to take on Virginia Wesleyan. The first game of the double-header is scheduled for a 12:00 PM start.
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