HICKORY, N.C. (March 1) – The Trojans split a pair of non-conference matchups on Saturday at the Bear Bash II round-robin event with a loss in the first game against Lenoir-Rhyne by an 8-0 margin followed by a win against Frostburg State, 5-3.
With the split, the University of Mount Olive softball program stands at 6-8 overall with a pair of games scheduled on Sunday in Hickory, North Carolina. The Trojans look to capture another win over Frostburg State and a revenge win against a highly competitive regional opponent in Lenoir-Rhyne.
Against the Bears (9-9), Mount Olive struggled offensively in the opening game, as Lenoir-Rhyne captured an 8-0 run-rule win in the sixth. The Bears took control early with three runs in the second and third innings, highlighted by a pair of homers, to lead by a 6-0 margin. LR secured the win in the sixth following another solo homer and an RBI double to right-center.
Junior
Cayden Sutton (0-2) was charged with the loss after allowing two earned runs on one hit with one strikeout and four walks in 2.0 innings pitched (57 pitches).
Against Frostburg State (2-6), the Trojans earned a solid 5-3 win over the Bobcats in a tightly contested battle. Mount Olive started strong with a run scored by freshman
Leah Russell on a fielding error by the shortstop in the top of the first.
Continuing forward, UMO held the Bobcats scoreless through the third inning. In the top of the fourth frame, Mount Olive scored four massive runs and capitalized on two errors to take a 5-0 advantage. During that stretch, junior
Samantha Taylor delivered a two-run double to right field.
Frostburg State proceeded to stage a comeback in the bottom of the fourth after scoring one run on a double before hitting a two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh. UMO halted any further damage with a game-ending double play to claim a 5-3 win.
Freshman
Linda Hodge earned the win (3-2) after yielding one earned run on one hit with two strikeouts in 4.0 innings of work (56 pitches). Junior
Bri Verme surrendered two runs on two hits with one strikeout in 2.0 innings of relief. Freshman
Hailey King collected her first career save following 1.0 scoreless inning pitched.
Russell led the Trojans going 2-for-3 with two runs scored, one stolen base, and one sacrifice hit. Senior
Alyssa Smothers backed her up finishing 2-for-2 with one run scored, one walk, and one stolen base.
The Trojans return to the field on Sunday, March 2, for a non-conference twinbill at the Bear Bash II held by Lenoir-Rhyne, scheduled for 10 a.m.
