WINGATE, N.C. (April 22) – Following a pair of three-run homers on Tuesday evening, the University of Mount Olive baseball program captured a 10-2 victory at Wingate in non-conference action.
With the win, the Trojans improve to 26-19 overall while securing victories in four of their last five games. Mount Olive closes out the regular season with a three-game series at Chowan in Conference Carolinas play, starting on Thursday, April 24, at noon. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs drop to 23-22 this season behind a 14-11 record at home.
After a scoreless first inning, Mount Olive established a 3-0 lead in the top of the second behind a three-run opposite-field homer by junior
Tariq Talley, his first of the year. The Trojans would bring across a run in the fourth and sixth frames on a pair of fielder's choices, 5-0.
In the top of the seventh, redshirt sophomore
Jon Howard launched a three-run homer to left field, his team-leading 10th of the season, to grab an 8-0 advantage. The contest would go into an hour-long rain delay before the Trojans added another run in the frame with an RBI single to left field from redshirt junior
Anthony Mitta, 9-0. Mount Olive scored an insurance run in the top of the eighth with an RBI single by redshirt junior
Garrett Moffett to hold a 10-0 lead.
Wingate avoided the shutout in the ninth after scoring a pair of runs, but UMO sealed the 10-2 win.
Junior
Jakhari Howard finished 3-for-4 with two doubles and two runs scored, while fellow junior
Kayden Crawford went 2-for-5 with one run scored. Junior
Lane McLean and Moffett also tallied two hits while Mitta finished 2-for-5 with two runs batted in.
Freshman
Pete Honse earned the start and allowed zero runs on three hits with one strikeout in 3.0 innings pitched. The Trojans would feature seven pitchers out of the bullpen, including freshman
Kole Hopkins, who was awarded the win (2-0) after tossing 1.0 inning of scoreless relief.
The Trojans will begin a three-game series on Thursday, April 24, with a doubleheader at Chowan, starting at noon.
