CARY, N.C. (March 14) – After stranding 10 runners on base, including seven in scoring position, the No. 8 ranked Trojans suffered a hard-fought 5-3 loss against UNC Pembroke in Conference Carolinas action at the USA Baseball National Training Complex.
With the loss, the University of Mount Olive baseball program suffered back-to-back losses for the first time this season, falling to 18-7 this season with a 10-3 record in league play. After taking the opening game, the Braves snapped a four-game skid in the series with Mount Olive. Meanwhile, UNC Pembroke improves to 15-9 overall behind a 5-5 mark in conference action.
Following a scoreless first inning, UNCP took advantage in the second frame with two runs on three hits, highlighted by an RBI double down the right-field line, 2-0. The Trojans immediately responded in the top of the third with junior
Lane McLean producing an RBI single to center field before redshirt senior
Mike Kenney registered an RBI on a hit-by-pitch with the bases loaded, 2-2.
The Trojans left a pair of runners in scoring position in the top of the fourth before the Braves regained the lead in the fifth behind a solo homer to left field, 3-2. Mount Olive stranded the game-tying run on third in the sixth before UNCP added to its lead with a run in the bottom of the sixth and seventh frame, 5-2. In the top of the ninth, McLean hit a single to left field before junior
Kayden Crawford ripped a double down the right-field line. Redshirt sophomore
Jon Howard recorded a sacrifice fly to center field to cut the deficit to 5-3, but a ground out in the next at-bat ended the contest.
Crawford finished 3-for-4 with one walk and a stolen base, while McLean tallied two hits, one run batted in, and one run scored.
Junior
Carson Gipson suffered the loss (3-3) after yielding five runs (four earned) on seven hits with two strikeouts and two walks in 6.2 innings pitched (98 pitches). Fifth-year
Trey Deutsch tossed 1.0 inning of scoreless relief with one strikeout on Friday.
Mount Olive will finish the three-game series on Saturday, March 15, against UNCP with a doubleheader scheduled to start at noon in Cary.
