MOUNT OLIVE (March 16) – Behind a pair of homers and a complete-game performance by junior
Callie Thornton in Game 2, the Trojans split a doubleheader versus Lees-McRae in Conference Carolinas play on Saturday afternoon at Nancy Chapman Cassell Field.
With the split, the University of Mount Olive softball program moves to 21-8 this season with a 2-2 mark in league action. The two sides split the series for the first time since 2021 while the Trojans snap a three-game skid to the Bobcats. Meanwhile, Lees-McRae sits to 8-12 overall behind a 3-1 record in conference play.
In Game 2, Thornton delivered an outstanding performance in the circle with a complete-game win to improve to 9-1 this season. She surrendered one earned run on four hits with four strikeouts and two walks in 7.0 innings pitched (102 pitches). She retired the side in order twice while forcing 15 ground outs against the Bobcats.
In the bottom of the first inning, senior
Courtlynn Cooney produced a leadoff infield single before advancing to third on a throwing error. During the next at-bat, senior
Lark Collins laced a sacrifice fly to center field to take a 1-0 lead. In the top of the third, Lees-McRae tied the contest at 1-1 with an RBI double to right field, but the Trojans countered with a solo homer down the left-field line by sophomore
Emily Cassidy, her second of the season, 2-1.
Mount Olive stretched the lead to 5-1 in the fourth frame with a three-run blast down the right-field line from senior
Carly Curcio, her fourth of the year. The Bobcats stranded a pair of runners over the final three innings, as UMO captured the 5-1 victory.
In Game 1, Lees-McRae grabbed an early 2-0 advantage behind a two-run homer to center field in the top of the first inning. In the bottom of the second, Mount Olive tied the game at 2-2 following a two-run homer to left field by Collins, her fourth of the season.
After a pair of scoreless frames, the Bobcats surged ahead with three runs on three hits, including two homers, to take a 5-2 edge in the fifth. The Trojans attempted a rally in the seventh, but ultimately left two runners in scoring position.
Senior
Hannah Killough suffered the loss (7-4) after yielding five earned runs on five hits with seven strikeouts and two walks in 5.0 innings (95 pitches). Sophomore
Bri Verme tossed 2.0 scoreless innings of relief with one strikeout.
The Trojans return to the field on Tuesday, March 19, for a doubleheader at rival Barton with the first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m.
