MOUNT OLIVE (Feb. 15) – The Trojans split a pair of non-conference matchups on Saturday at Nancy Chapman Cassell Field, falling 14-7 to No. 25 Kutztown before securing a 3-2 victory over Winston-Salem State.
With the split, the University of Mount Olive softball program stands at 5-7 overall following four games on its home field over the weekend. The Trojans capture their fourth one-run victory of the season under first-year head coach
India Kornegay.
Game 1: No. 25 Kutztown 14, Mount Olive 7
Against Kutztown (8-0), Mount Olive faced off against the Golden Bears in a high-scoring game, ultimately falling 14-7. The Golden Bears took control early with four runs in the first inning, including a pair of RBI singles to left field and a two-run single in the infield. The Trojans answered back in the bottom of the first when freshman
Brittany Stephens hit a three-run home run to left field, her third of the year, to cut the deficit to 4-3.
However, Kutztown responded in the second frame with a three-run homer from Naya Darnowski, pushing the lead to 7-3. Freshman
Emily Saw responded with her first collegiate home with a two-run bomb to left field to close the gap to 7-5 in the bottom half of the inning.
The Golden Bears answered with a two-run home run in the third before scoring three additional runs in the top of the fourth to grab a 12-5 advantage. Kutztown scored another run in the top of the fifth to climb the lead to 13-6, but Mount Olive continued to fight, with junior
Samantha Taylor and freshman
Liz Thome both hitting solo homers in the fifth and sixth innings, narrowing the gap to 13-7. Despite strong individual performances, including a 4-for-4 showing from Taylor, the Trojans couldn't overcome Kutztown's offensive play.
Junior
Cayden Sutton (0-1) was charged with the loss after allowing five earned runs on six hits with two strikeouts in 2.1 innings pitched.
Game 2: Mount Olive 3, Winston-Salem State 2
The Trojans earned a narrow 3-2 win against Winston-Salem State in a tightly contested battle. After a scoreless start through two innings, the Rams struck first in the third inning with an RBI double down the left-field line by Makayla Vinson, bringing home Malia Simmons.
Mount Olive responded in the bottom of the third when freshman
Leah Russell singled to second base, allowing fellow freshman
Sophia Gleim to cross home plate. The Trojans took the lead moments later as Taylor drew a walk on a wild pitch, bringing home sophomore
McKenzie Millard for a 2-1 advantage.
Winston-Salem State tied the game at 2-2 in the fifth inning after Aaliyah Rodriguez hit an RBI single to right field. However, the Trojans regained the lead in the bottom of the inning when Stephens reached on a fielding error, allowing Taylor to score the eventual game-winning run.
Millard led the Trojans offensively, going 2-for-3 with a run scored and three stolen bases. Freshman
Linda Hodge (2-2) earned the win, allowing one earned run on five hits with four strikeouts in five innings. Junior
Bri Verme pitched the final two innings in relief, surrendering one run on two hits while striking out one.
The Trojans return to the field on Thursday, Feb. 20, for a non-conference twinbill at Elizabeth City State, starting at 2 p.m.
