PEMBROKE, N.C. (April 20) – Behind a complete-game performance by junior Callie Thronton in Game 2, the Trojans registered a doubleheader split at UNC Pembroke on Saturday in Conference Carolinas play.
With the split, the University of Mount Olive softball program closes the regular season with a 35-14 overall record behind a 16-8 mark in league action. The Trojans secured the No. 3 seed in the Conference Carolinas Tournament and will face Lees-McRae or Belmont Abbey under the lights on Thursday, April 25, at 7 p.m. Meanwhile, UNC Pembroke will enter the conference tournament as the No. 10 seed after finishing the year with a 19-32 record behind a 10-14 mark in conference play.
In Game 2, Thornton improved to 16-3 in the circle after yielding one earned run on five hits with one strikeout and zero walks in 6.0 innings pitched (75 pitches). She retired the side in order twice while forcing 10 groundouts and six flyouts.
The Trojans climbed ahead in the top of the first inning after senior
Kylie Emanuele laced an RBI double to left field with two outs to take a 1-0 advantage. In the top of the third, freshman
Laci Best extended the lead to 2-0 with an RBI single up the middle before both sides went scoreless over the next two frames. Mount Olive stretched the advantage to 4-0 in the top of the sixth, as senior
Carly Curcio recorded a sacrifice fly to left field before senior
Adrianna Efird delivered a pinch-hit RBI double to center field. UNCP closed the gap to 4-1 in the bottom half of the frame with a solo homer to left field before the game was eventually called after the top of the seventh due to rain/lightning.
Senior Courtlynn Conney finished 2-for-3 with one run scored and one stolen base in the win.
In Game 1, the Trojans established an early 1-0 advantage in the top of the first after Best delivered an RBI single up the middle. The Braves countered in the bottom half of the frame after scoring on a bases-loaded walk to tie the contest, 1-1. Following a scoreless second inning, UNC Pembroke totaled six runs on three hits in the third, highlighted by a three-run triple and three-run homer to build a 7-1 advantage. In the bottom of the fourth, the Braves added to the lead with a solo homer to left field before winning via the run-rule in the fifth after a two-run single up the middle, 10-1.
Senior
Hannah Killough suffered the loss (11-8) after yielding four earned runs on three hits with three strikeouts and three walks in 2.1 innings pitched. Sophomore
Bri Verme surrendered six earned runs on seven hits with one walk in 2.0 innings of work.
The Trojans will travel to Duncan, South Carolina, for the Conference Carolinas Tournament to face Lees-McRae or Belmont Abbey on the opening day of competition at 7 p.m.
