RICHMOND, Ind. – Junior Howie Smith pitched eight scoreless innings leading the Earlham College baseball team to a 4-2 win over Defiance College in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) action at Sadler Stadium on Friday.

Smith improved to 5-2 on the season with the win, scattering four hits and two walks while striking out six over eight innings. Junior Dalton Carter finished out the game, allowing two runs on one hit in the ninth.

After stranding runners in scoring position in each of the first three innings, the Quakers scored finally scored in the fourth when senior Thomas Rea singled home freshman Addison Robertson. Defiance nearly answered in the fifth as the Yellow Jackets loaded the bases, but a groundout ended the threat.

The Quakers stretched the lead to three by scoring two runs on two hits and one Defiance error in the fifth. Junior Matt Barger drove in Earlham's last run in the eighth on a sacrifice fly to left field.

Earlham finished with six hits as a team including two from Rea. The Quakers drew nine walks and stole four bases.

David Blanch took the loss for Defiance, allowing two earned runs with seven walks in six innings pitched.

The Quakers improve to 20-6 overall with the win, marking the third consecutive season of 20 wins. Earlham stands at 10-4 in the HCAC and will face Defiance in a doubleheader at Sadler Stadium tomorrow (Saturday) beginning at noon.