MOUNT OLIVE (April 19) – Following another 7-6 comeback victory in Game 2 of the series, the Trojans claimed a doubleheader split versus Barton on Saturday afternoon in Conference Carolinas play at Scarborough Field.
With the series win, the University of Mount Olive baseball program stands at 25-19 this season behind a 14-13 record in conference action. The Trojans continue to battle for seeding in the Conference Carolinas Tournament ranking seventh in the KPI standings, which will determine league seeding this season. Meanwhile, Barton moves to 28-18 overall with an 18-9 mark in conference play.
In Game 1, the Bulldogs jumped out to a 5-0 advantage in the opening two frames of the contest after tallying eight hits, highlighted by a pair of RBI doubles to left field. Mount Olive responded in the bottom of the third after redshirt junior
Garrett Moffett delivered a two-out RBI single to trim the deficit to 5-1. Following a scoreless fourth, Moffett came through again in the fifth inning with a two-run double to right field to close the gap to 5-3.
Barton took a three-run lead in the top of the sixth after scoring on a bases-loaded double play to hold a 6-3 lead. In the bottom half, the Trojans rallied with four runs on five hits, all coming with two outs in the frame. Junior
Jakhari Howard belted a double to left-center before redshirt junior
Anthony Mitta laced an RBI single up the middle, 6-4. After a single from senior
Wade Kelly to continue the frame, junior
Kayden Crawford registered an RBI single through the right side, 6-5. During the next at-bat, McLean came through in the clutch with a two-run single up the middle to take a 7-6 edge.
In the ninth, Barton managed to load the bases with two outs, but a fielder's choice at second base secured the UMO victory.
Moffett finished 2-for-4 with three runs batted in while McLean went 2-for-3 at the plate with two RBIs. Crawford tallied two hits, one RBI, and one run scored against the Bulldogs. Mitta finished 2-for-3 with one RBI and two runs scored, while Kelly went 2-for-2 with three runs scored and one stolen base.
Fifth-year
Trey Deutsch earned the win (2-1) after tossing 2.0 scoreless innings of relief with two strikeouts. Junior
Lane Roberson allowed zero runs on two hits with two strikeouts in 1.1 innings on the mound. Freshman
Kole Hopkins surrendered one earned run on one hit with two walks in 1.1 innings of relief.
In Game 2, the Bulldogs managed to get on the scoreboard in the top of the third with an RBI single before breaking open the contest with a two-out grand slam to left field in the fourth frame, 5-0. Barton would score an additional run in the fifth with an outstanding RBI bunt single down the left-field line, 6-0.
The Trojans cut into the deficit in the bottom of the fifth with an RBI single through the left side by
Jakhari Howard to trail 5-1. Mount Olive managed to load the bases with no outs, but Barton escaped the inning with a flyout and a double play. The Trojans would hit into two more double plays over the next two frames before the Bulldogs scored an insurance run in the ninth, 7-1. UMO tallied one run in the bottom of the ninth as junior
Ryder Hancock produced an RBI single through the right side, 7-2.
Mitta reached base three times after going 2-for-3 at the plate with one walk, while Hancock finished 2-for-4 with one RBI.
Junior
Lucas Glover suffered the loss (2-3) after yielding five earned runs on five hits with one strikeout and two walks in 4.0 innings (56 pitches). Freshman
John Nelson McLamb was stellar out of the bullpen tossing 4.0 innings with one run allowed on two hits with three strikeouts (50 pitches).
UMO returns to action on Tuesday, April 22, when they travel to face Wingate with the first pitch set for 4 p.m.
