Nicole Taliercio's two-run double highlighted a seven-run second inning – all with two outs – as University of Mount Olive recorded a five-inning run-rule 8-0 victory over Belmont Abbey College in game one of a Conference Carolinas softball doubleheader Saturday at Nancy Chapman Cassell Field. Carly White tossed a five-hit shutout and benefitted from two double plays.
The Trojans made it a sweep on Senior Day with an 8-1 victory in game two as a four-run first inning put Mount Olive ahead to stay. Katie Moore and Beth Overman powered the Trojans' 16-hit attack with three hits apiece.
In the opener, Mount Olive broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the second when Kelsey Akers beat out a bases-loaded infield single to bring in Kalie Smith with the game's first run. Ashleigh Mason drew a walk and Overman hit a two-run single to give the Trojans a 4-0 lead. After a pitching change, Taliercio hit a deep fly ball to left that landed just inside the line a few feet in front of the fence to plate Mason and Overman. Taliercio came home on a single by Jennifer Jones to extend the Trojans' lead to 7-0.
The Trojans added what proved to be the game-winning run in the third as Moore led off with a single and stole second. Moore came home on Akers' single.
White (4-5) retired the side in order in each of the first two innings and allowed only an infield single through the first 11 batters she faced. Third baseman Smith triggered double plays in the final two innings, tagging third for a 5-3 double play in the fourth and turning a sacrifice into a 5-6-4 double play in the fifth. White struck out three and did not walk a batter.
In game two, Akers led off the bottom of the first with an opposite-field triple to left when the Belmont Abbey left fielder attempted a diving catch on her sinking line drive. Akers, who extended her hitting streak to 14, scored on Mason's single. Smith and Kassie Lowe each singled in a run and Moore's rbi-double gave the Trojans a quick 4-0 lead.
Belmont Abbey (9-34, 3-11) avoided a second shutout and run-rule loss with a run in the top of the fourth. Shanie McConnell led off with a double and came home one out later on a double by Dani Marietta.
Mount Olive added two runs each in the fifth and sixth innings to pull away.
Caitlin Ewers (2-2) picked up the win after taking over for starter Madison Johnston in the fourth inning. Ewers struck out four and allowed only two hits in 3 2/3 scoreless innings.
Mount Olive's doubleheader originally scheduled for Sunday against Fayetteville State has been canceled. The Trojans will return to action Wednesday to play host to Pfeiffer in a Conference Carolinas doubleheader. Game time is 4 p.m.
