TIGERVILLE, S.C. - The No. 11 University of Mount Olive baseball team came back from a four-run deficit to take down UNC Pembroke in the opening round of the 2021 NCAA Division II Southeast Regional Thursday in Tigerville, S.C.

GAME INFORMATION
Mount Olive fell behind early as UNC Pembroke placed two runs on the board in the top of the first on two RBI-singles.

UNCP added another run in the second on a solo home run, but Mount Olive stopped the bleeding in the bottom half. Blake McLean plated both Dusty Baker and Jack Casbarro to draw the Trojans to within two at 4-2 after two complete. 

The Brave went onto score two more runs to extend their lead in the fifth and led by four after five.

Gunner Tolston's sacrifice fly in the sixth added a bit of relief in the offensive hole as UMO trailed 6-3.

The seventh went scoreless and set up the inning of the game in the eighth. 

UNC Pembroke was held to just two hits in the top half and Mount Olive came up in their half needing to find the last bit of momentum to take control, and they did just that.

The big inning started for UMO with two outs as Casbarro reached via a fielder's choice. Mount Olive then saw key singles from Alan Alonso, Dusty Baker, and Blake McLean, and Zack Smith to tie the game at six as the four straight base knocks forced the Braves to make a pitching change.

Following the change of arms Joe Mason hit a shot that bounced off the right field wall scoring McLean and UMO took their first lead of the game at 7-6.

Trojan reliever Kyle Davis came back out to the mound and retired the UNCP Braves in order and ended the game with a highlight diving lineout stop from Alonso as UMO came back from down four to take the win and advance in the winner's bracket.

TROJAN LEADERS
Blake McLean led the Trojans with a 2-for-3 day and three RBI. Kyle Davis (6-1) earned the win in relief giving up just four hits and struck out three over four and two thirds innings.

UNC PEMBROKE LEADERS
Wellington Guzman collected two RBI to lead the way for the Braves.

KEY MOMENT
The four-run comeback in the eight combined with a shutdown top of the ninth was the both the turning point and key moment in today's game. The Trojans being down four runs and coming back allowed UMO to move into the winner's bracket tomorrow.

ON DECK
Mount Olive will take on Wingate in a winner's bracket game at 7 p.m.