The Quakers (16-9-1) faced Greensboro College on March 30 at the Grasshoppers stadium downtown. The non-conference matchup was the second meeting between the cross-town rivals, ending in favor of the Pride, which split the season series. The weather has been an issue for the Quakers, finding inadequate field time. Although not vital to ground balls and repetitions for position players, pitchers need field time, which the weather has not allowed.

“It was hard; we didn’t have a lot of time on the field to prepare,” said senior John Goodwin. “Pitchers have a strict regimen.”

But the show must go on. The game against the Pride began slowly, with zero runs scored by either team in the first inning. Junior Jason Flud’s RBI sent senior Drew Gurkin home for the first run of the game in the top of the second inning.

By the bottom of the third, Greensboro took control, scoring three runs. The momentum of the Pride did not falter, as they continued their offensive showcase.

Junior Alex Starbuck doubled in the fifth to plate senior Joe John, scoring later on a Goodwin triple. The two-run fourth was not enough to slow the momentum, however, as the Pride collected another five runs in the bottom half.

Senior Terrance Penn countered by tripling to right field, bringing in two runs in the top of the sixth. Neither team managed to score in the remaining three innings, and the Pride won 13-5.

“Greensboro College has a great team with good players,” said Quaker head coach Nick Black. “They swing the bat well.”

“Even though (the Quakers) lost, they played really hard and never gave up,” said sophomore fan Nina Bollag. “It was a great opportunity to see them play in the (Grasshoppers’) stadium.”

Following last season’s mantra, “a minor setback for a major comeback,” the Quakers have shown the ability to come back swinging after a loss, having done so several times this season.

With this mindset, the Quakers set out two days later against the Roanoke Maroons in ODAC competition, winning 17-12 in a come-from-behind win, scoring nine runs in the eighth inning.

“(Our team) sees that we have the opportunity to have a great year,” said Black. “They’re definitely not content (with remaining in third place in the ODAC).”

The end of the season is in sight. The boys are digging deep through the muddy rain and cancellations in order to pull off a successful post-season run.

“Everybody’s gonna be a little tired .but we’re all really focused on making the ODAC tournament,” said Goodwin.

A focus is necessary with only eight games left in the regular season. As Black said, “It’s all about mindset.