MOUNT OLIVE (Mar. 5) – On the final day of the round-robin event, the Trojans split the non-conference doubleheader at Nancy Chapman Cassell Field on Sunday, posting a 9-2 win over Mercyhurst in Game 1 before suffering a 2-1 loss against West Liberty in Game 2.

With the split, the University of Mount Olive softball team moves to 7-9 overall and finishes the weekend with a 3-1 record following four contests this weekend. The Trojans get set for another four-game weekend with Bloomsburg and Virginia Union set to play at Cassell Field next week.

In Game 1 versus Mercyhurst (4-5), Mount Olive captured an early 1-0 lead on an RBI single up the middle by freshman Emily Cassidy in the bottom of the second inning. In the top of the third, the Trojans added to their lead with a solo homer by junior Cana Shrock, her conference-leading eighth home run of the year, 2-0. The Lakers closed the gap to one run in the top of the fourth with a single to right-center, but UMO responded with three runs on four hits in the bottom half. The Trojans tallied one run on a wild pitch before sophomore Alyssa Smothers and Shrock ech delivered RBI doubles to left field, 5-1.

After a scoreless fifth frame, Mercyhurst laced a solo homer to center field in the sixth before Mount Olive sealed the win behind four runs in the bottom half. The highlights of the inning included a sacrifice fly by junior Lark Collins and a two-run homer from junior Kylie Emanuele to left-center, 9-2.

Shrock finished 3-for-4 with a solo homer, two RBI, two runs scored, and a stolen base. Junior Courtlynn Cooney and Smothers each went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, while Collins recorded two hits and an RBI in the win.

Junior Hannah Killough registered her second-straight complete game (5-3) of the weekend after surrendering two runs on seven hits with seven strikeouts and two walks in 7.0 innings pitched.

In Game 2 against West Liberty (2-14), the Hilltoppers got on the board early with a two-run home run in the top of the second. The Trojans managed to cut the deficit in the bottom of the third following a sacrifice fly by Shrock, 2-1. UMO would leave the game-tying run in scoring position in the fourth and fifth frames before two game-changing plays occurred in the final innings.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Trojans had runners on first and second with one out before a single to center field forced a play at home, which resulted in the baserunner being tagged out at home off the rally throw. West Liberty escaped further damage by stranding two UMO players on base. Mount Olive loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh following a fielder's choice and a pair of walks with one out. During the next at-bat, the Hilltoppers were able to turn a game-ending double play after a line-out to the shortstop.

Junior Ashlyn Porter finished 3-for-3 in Game 2 with a pair of doubles, while four other players registered hits.

Sophomore Callie Thornton suffered the loss (1-3) after yielding two runs on five hits with two strikeouts in 2.0 innings of work. Senior Lauren King tossed 5.0 innings of scoreless relief with no hits and six strikeouts while issuing zero walks.

The Trojans return to play on Saturday, March 11, when they host Bloomsburg in non-conference action at noon.