Daytona Beach- Mount Olive took on a tough slate of opponents over the weekend, facing Pittsburg State twice, along with Ferris State and Columbus State. The Trojans were scheduled to compete in six matches, but were only able to compete in four matches due to weather conditions.
Mount Olive opened the tournament against Pittsburg State and settled into a tight early battle. The Trojans' pitching staff held the Gorillas scoreless through four innings and worked out of traffic in the third, stranding three runners to keep the game within reach. Pittsburg State broke through late, pulling away in the fifth and sixth to secure an 8–0 win.
The Trojans bounced back offensively against Ferris State in Game 2. Mount Olive exploded for five runs in the second inning, stringing together at-bat after at-bat. Â
Emily Saw launched a home run,
Samantha Taylor ripped a two-run double, and
McKenzie Millard delivered a key RBI double as the Trojans built a 5–2 lead. The pitching staff kept Ferris State in check early, but the Bulldogs used a four-run fifth inning to flip the game and escape with a 9–7 win.
Game 3 turned into a grinder against Columbus State.
Emily Saw continued her strong weekend with a solo home run, and Mount Olive tied the game in the fourth when
Samantha Taylor doubled and later scored on E. Thome's sacrifice fly. The Trojans' pitchers matched Columbus State inning for inning, keeping the Cougars off the board in four frames. A solo home run in the sixth proved to be the difference in a 3–2 loss.
Mount Olive closed the tournament with a rematch against Pittsburg State and showed resilience early. After falling behind, the Trojans answered with a two-run third inning, highlighted by
Emily Saw's two-RBI single, to pull within one. Pittsburg State responded immediately and continued to apply pressure. Still, Mount Olive kept competing late, adding another run on
Samantha Taylor's sacrifice fly before the Gorillas closed out a 9–3 decision to conclude the tourney.
Mount Olive looks to return to play in Aiken, SC, on Feb. 6.
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