MOUNT OLIVE (March 5) – Behind a solo homer by senior
Cana Shrock, the University of Mount Olive softball program recorded a doubleheader split versus Francis Marion in the Conference Carolinas opener on Tuesday afternoon at Nancy Chapman Cassell Field.
With the split, the Trojans move to 18-6 overall with a 1-1 record in conference play. It marks the second straight twinbill split between the sides after meeting last year in Florence, South Carolina. Meanwhile, the Patriots stand a 17-6 this season behind a 1-1 mark in league action.
In Game 1, the sides were locked in a pitchers dual, as senior
Hannah Killough improved to 7-2 in the circle with zero runs on five hits while tallying eight strikeouts over 6.0 innings (129 pitches). Junior
Callie Thornton registered the save after tossing 1.0 inning of scoreless relief.
The Patriots stranded six runners on base through the opening three frames, as Killough escaped a bases-loaded jam in the second inning. After four scoreless frames, Shrock broke the deadlock in the bottom of the fifth with a solo blast to left-center to take a 1-0 lead. The Patriots attempted a late rally in the top of the seventh, but a massive line-out double play in the infield helped the Trojans earn the 1-0 victory.
In Game 2, Francis Marion established an early 4-0 advantage in the top of the first inning, highlighted by a two-run homer to left-center. The Patriots added to their lead in the top of the second after scoring three runs on two hits to stretch the lead to 7-0.
Mount Olive answered back with four runs on four hits in the bottom of the second, as junior
Alyssa Smothers and freshman
Kayla Rudd each registered an RBI single before freshman
Laci Best delivered a two-run single to center field. The Patriots would score three more runs over the final three frames to secure a 10-4 win.
Sophomore
Bri Verme (4-3) was saddled with the loss after surrendering seven runs (three earned) on four hits over 1.1 innings pitched.
Mount Olive will return to Nancy Chapman Cassell Field on Thursday, March 7, when it hosts Kutztown for a single non-conference game, starting at 5 p.m.
