MOUNT OLIVE (April 13) – The Trojans completed a perfect 4-0 weekend in conference play following a doubleheader sweep over UNC Pembroke on Senior Day in Conference Carolinas play at Nancy Chapman Cassell Field.
With the sweep, the University of Mount Olive softball team improves to 34-11 this season with a 15-5 record in league action. The Trojans remain one game back of Francis Marion in the east division standings with the two sides set to meet early next week. Meanwhile, UNC Pembroke falls to 18-29 overall behind a 9-11 mark in conference play.
In Game 1, senior
Hannah Killough delivered a complete-game performance after yielding two earned runs on two hits with eight strikeouts and three walks in 5.0 innings pitched.
Mount Olive jumped out to a quick 4-0 advantage in the bottom of the first inning behind an RBI single by senior
Lark Collins before sophomore
Emily Cassidy belted a three-run homer down the left-field line. After a scoreless second inning, Cassidy registered an RBI double to right field to stretch the lead to 5-0 in the third. Senior
Courtlynn Cooney extended the advantage to 6-0 in the bottom of the fourth with an RBI single to left field before UNCP countered with a two-run homer in the fifth.
In the bottom half of the frame, the Trojans scored four runs on four hits, highlighted by a pair of two-run homers by Cassidy and senior
Cana Shrock, 10-2.
Cassidy finished 3-for-3 with two homers, six RBI, and two runs scored, while Collins went 3-for-3 with one RBI and two runs scored.
In Game 2, UMO established a 1-0 edge in the bottom of the first after senior
Kylie Emanuele hit an RBI single through the left side. Following a scoreless second frame, the Braves took a 2-1 advantage in the third before freshman
Laci Best and Collins both delivered an RBI bunt to help score three runs in the bottom half, 4-2.
In the fifth, Collins blasted a two-run homer to left field while Smothers recorded an RBI single up the middle, 7-2. UNCP attempted a rally in the top of the seventh behind a three-run homer, but UMO held on to earn the win, 7-5.
Collins totaled two hits, three RBI, and one run scored, while Emanuele finished 2-for-2 with one RBI and two runs scored.
Junior
Callie Thornton improved to 15-2 in the circle after surrendering five runs on five hits with six strikeouts and three walks in a complete-game performance (7.0 innings).
The Trojans return to the field on Tuesday, April 16, to face Francis Marion in an east division doubleheader at 4 p.m.
