DUNCAN, S.C. (April 25) – On the opening day of the Conference Carolinas Tournament, the Trojans delivered a statement following a run-rule victory over Chowan by a 10-2 margin in five innings while competing at Tyger River Park on Friday evening.
Records: #4 seed Trojans (24-25), #5 Chowan (20-27)
Next Up: Mount Olive advances to face No. 8 seed North Greenville in the winner's bracket with first pitch set for 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 26
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Chowan established a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning with a clutch two-out RBI single up the middle. The Trojans answered in the bottom half of the frame with four runs on five hits, highlighted by a two-run double to right-center from freshman Liz Thome, 4-1.
- Following a scoreless second inning, the Hawks closed the gap to 4-2 with a bases-loaded RBI walk.
- The Trojans broke the game open in the fourth, producing all three runs on two outs. Junior Samantha Taylor and sophomore Laci Best recorded back-to-back singles before a walk loaded the bases. Freshman Linda Hodge dropped a three-run single into left-center to jump ahead by a 7-2 margin.
- Mount Olive would seal the run-rule victory in the fifth after tallying three runs on three hits. Freshman Leah Russell made her return to the lineup and delivered an RBI single through the right side before the Trojans managed to add an additional run on a throwing error. With Russell on third, a wild pitch from the opponent allowed her to cross the plate a secure the 10-2 win.
AT THE PLATE:
- Taylor: 3-for-3, 2 R, 1 SB
- Best: 3-for-3, 1 RBI, 2 R, 2 SB
- Russell: 2-for-4, 1 RBI, 2 R
IN THE CIRCLE:
- Hodge improved to 13-9 overall after yielding two earned runs on four hits with two strikeouts and three walks over 5.0 innings pitched (88 pitches).
