FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (Feb. 11) – Graduate student
Landon Choboy recorded a three-hit performance on Sunday afternoon, including the go-ahead RBI single in the eighth, as the Trojans claimed a 7-6 win over Nova Southeastern.
With the win, the University of Mount Olive baseball team improves to 3-1 overall while posting a perfect 3-0 mark on their Florida trip this week. Meanwhile, the Sharks drop to 4-3 this season while holding a 2-3 record against Southeast Region opponents.
Following a scoreless opening frame, Choboy produced a leadoff single to right field in the second inning before senior
Alden Cottle laced a double to right center. With one out, the Trojans loaded the bases on a walk before senior
Joshua Kabayama reached base a fielding error by the third baseman to take a 1-0 advantage.
Mount Olive added to the lead in the top of the third with four runs on three hits to stretch the lead to 5-0. Redshirt junior
Mike Kenney and Choboy each registered a single through the left side before Cottle drew a walk to load the bases with one out. The next at-bat, redshirt freshman
Jon Howard registered an RBI on a hit-by-pitch. Senior
Dylan Jeffries hit a sacrifice fly to center field to score Choboy before another walk reloaded the bases. With two outs, Kabayama laced a two-run single through the left side.
In the bottom of the fourth, Nova Southeastern rallied back with five runs on three hits to tie the contest, 5-5. After a pair of scoreless innings, Kenney and redshirt sophomore
Anthony Mitta delivered back-to-back singles to start the seventh. Following a pitching change, Choboy ripped an RBI single to right field to regain the lead, 6-5. With two outs, fifth-year
David Cucci registered an RBI on a fielder's choice to extend the advantage to 7-5.
The Sharks cut the deficit to one run in the ninth after a solo homer to right field, but UMO closed out the game to secure the 7-6 win.
Senior
Andrew Ledbetter captured the win (1-0) after tossing two innings of scoreless relief. Fellow senior
Hayden Myrick secured the save (1) and yielded one run on one hit with three strikeouts in 2.0 innings on the mound. Sophomore
Carson Gipson earned the start and surrendered two runs with four walks in 3.0 innings of work.
The Trojans host their home opener on Saturday, Feb. 17, when they begin a three-game series versus Kutztown at Scarborough Field, starting at noon.
