MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. - The No. 2 University of Mount Olive baseball team split the series doubleheader with Barton College falling in game one 6-1 before taking the afternoon cap 4-3 in Conference Carolinas action Saturday afternoon at Scarborough Field. UMO improves to 11-4 overall 8-3 in conference, while Barton goes to 6-8, 5-4.

IN MEMORIAM OF TRAGIC ACCIDENT
Prior to the start of today's game, the University of Mount Olive held a moment of silence for the four lives lost in a tragic car accident one year ago today, including three former Women's Lacrosse players, Madison Mergl, Ann Wray, Chaney Partrich, and one former Baseball player, Jett Swetland. Also prior to the game Jett Swetland's parents threw out the first pitch and were presented with a framed jersey of Jett's and a specially stitched hat. Members of the UMO baseball team wrote a special tribute about Jett as well as a prayer all in honor of him. All of the UMO Baseball players were wearing special caps with Swetland's initials and number stitched on the right side of the cap as well.
In memory of Madison, Ann, Chaney and Jett a memorial rock has been placed by the walkway to Ray McDonald Sr. Sports Complex.

GAME ONE INFORMATION
The Trojans began the opening game with the lead after the second inning following a Matt Stokes RBI-groundout. The lone 1-0 lead for UMO lasted only until the fifth when Barton unloaded for five runs, only two scoring on a base hit, as the Trojans pitching fell apart and the Bulldogs took a 5-1 advantage. The Bulldogs added one more insurance run in the seventh and sealed the seven inning game one win.

TROJAN LEADERS
Stokes had the only RBI for the Trojans in game one.

BARTON LEADERS 
Brayden Olson had three RBI in game one for the Bulldogs.

KEY MOMENT
The key moment of the first game was in the 5th inning when Barton pushed five runs across stealing all the momentum and never allowed UMO to come back. 

GAME TWO INFORMATION
Game two had a similar story in the second game taking an early lead as Vito Patierno scored Blake McLean via a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the first to give UMO a 1-0 lead. Once again Barton found their scoring answer in the fifth, however the Trojans simmered it, as the Bulldogs took a 2-1 lead.

Mount Olive responded in their half of the fifth with a sacrifice fly by Dylan Jeffries and an RBI-double from Zack Smith to allow UMO to regain the lead at 3-2. Stephen Baughan added what ended up being the game sealing insurance run in the 7th with his solo home run to left and UMO led 4-2. 

In their final set of at bats, Barton scored one final run, however the Trojans pitching staff closed the door and took game two 4-3.

TROJAN LEADERS
Four Trojans had an RBI in the game, but Zack Smith led the squad with two hits. Hunter Stevens (4-0) picked up the win going eight complete allowing two runs off six hits and struck out six. Will Abbot (SV: 4) picked up the save in the ninth allowing one run off one four hits and struck out two.

BARTON LEADERS
Travious Ford collected one RBI to lead the way for the Barton in game two.

KEY MOMENT
The key moment came in the seventh when Baughan hit a solo home run to give UMO a much needed insurance run that sealed the win.

ON DECK
The Mount Olive Trojans will complete the four-game series with Barton tomorrow at Scarborough Field at 1 p.m.