FLORENCE, S.C. (March 21) – Junior Ashlyn Porter launched a grand slam in the opening game, as the University of Mount Olive softball team earned a doubleheader split at Francis Marion in Conference Carolinas play on Tuesday night, recording an 8-1 win in Game 1 before falling 2-1 in Game 2.

With the split, the Trojans stand at 14-12 this season with a 3-3 record in league action. Mount Olive earns its first win since 2015 in Florence, South Carolina while winning four of the previous six meetings between the sides. Meanwhile, the Patriots hold a 25-5 overall record with a 5-1 mark in conference play.

In Game 1, junior Courtlynn Cooney reached base on a leadoff bunt single before advancing to third on a stolen base and a sacrifice bunt. With one out in the top of the first, junior Cana Shrock produced a sacrifice fly to left field to give UMO an early edge, 1-0. In the second frame, junior Kylie Emanuele belted a solo homer to left-center, her seventh of the season, to extend the advantage, 2-0. The Trojans escaped a bases-loaded jam in the third inning before Porter registered an RBI single to center field to stretch the lead to 3-0.

After a scoreless fourth, Mount Olive led off the fifth inning with back-to-back singles before a walk loaded the bases with one outs. The following at-bat, Porter blasted a grand slam to left field, her fifth home run of the year, to take a 7-0 lead. The Patriots ended their scoreless drought in the bottom half with a solo homer to left field, 7-1. UMO managed to reclaim its seven-run advantage in the top of the sixth after an RBI single to right field by sophomore Alyssa Smothers, 8-1. The Trojans held Francis Marion without a hit over the final two innings to secure the win.

Cooney finished 4-for-4 with two runs scored and a stolen base, while Porter posted a pair of hits, five RBI, one run scored, and a stolen base.

Junior Hannah Killough improved to 8-4 in the circle after yielding one run on four hits with three strikeouts in 6.0 innings pitched. She forced the Patriots into nine flyouts and six groundouts while stranding 10 runners on base.

In Game 2, both pitchers produced stellar performances in a classic dual in the circle. Senior Lauren King tossed a complete game and surrendered two runs (both unearned) on four hits with two strikeouts in 6.0 innings pitched. She forced half the batters she faced in groundouts while retiring the side twice in the game.

The Trojans leaped ahead at the top of the first on a sacrifice fly from Porter to take a 1-0 lead. The Patriots capitalized on a throwing error and a hit-by-pitch to capture a 2-1 advantage. UMO left just three runners on base through the next five innings with one in scoring position. In the top of the seventh, Emanuele tripled to center field to lead off the frame before a pair of groundouts and a strikeout allowed Francis Marion to escape with the 2-1 win.

Mount Olive returns to the field on Friday, March 24, when it travels to face Emmanuel in league play, starting at 2 p.m.