MOUNT OLIVE (April 9) – Senior
Hannah Killough delivered a complete-game shutout in Game 1, as the Trojans split a doubleheader against Barton on Tuesday evening in Conference Carolinas play at Nancy Chapman Cassell Field.
With the split, the University of Mount Olive softball team stands at 30-11 this season with an 11-5 record in conference action. The two sides split the season series following four matchups with three of the contests decided by two runs or fewer. Meanwhile, Barton holds a 20-18 overall record behind a 9-7 mark in league play.
In Game 1, Killough improved to 10-6 in the circle after tossing a two-hit complete-game shutout against the Bulldogs. She allowed zero runs on two hits with nine strikeouts and three walks in 7.0 innings pitched (103 pitches). She retired the side in order three times, including setting down seven straight batters from the second through the fourth inning.
In a pitching duel, senior
Carly Curcio scored the lone run of the contest after belting a solo homer to left-center in the bottom of the third, her 10th of the season, 1-0.
In Game 2, Mount Olive was involved in another battle in the circle, as the opening four innings were deadlocked. Sophomore
Emily Cassidy put UMO ahead in the bottom of the fifth with a solo homer to left-center, her fourth of the year, 1-0. Barton countered in the top of the sixth with a two-run homer to left field to escape the 2-1 win.
Junior
Callie Thornton was saddled with the loss (13-2) despite a solid performance in the circle. She yielded two earned runs on seven hits with two strikeouts and two walks in 7.0 innings (102 pitches).
The Trojans will return to action on Friday, April 12, for a doubleheader against Chowan on the road at 2 p.m.
