MOUNT OLIVE – The Mount Olive Trojans finished its home series on Saturday with a pair of hard-fought contests against UNC Pembroke, battling deep into both games before falling by scores of 6–3 and 10–6.

In game one, Mount Olive jumped out to an early lead, answering a first-inning run by UNC Pembroke with a two-run bottom half. Malachi Gales highlighted the frame with a two-run home run to left-center, scoring Rowan Watt, while Lane McLean added a solo homer in the third inning to even the score at 3–3.

The Braves regained the lead in the fifth inning, capitalizing on multiple baserunners to push across three runs. Despite six hits from the Trojan offense, Mount Olive was unable to generate additional scoring opportunities late, as UNC Pembroke held on for the 6–3 victory. Gales finished 1-for-2 with two RBIs, while Watt went 2-for-4 with McLean going 1-for-3 with one RBI.

In the nightcap, the Trojans delivered, collecting 12 hits and forcing extra innings. Gales once again provided power, launching a solo home run in the third, while Mount Olive plated two runs in the fourth to take a 3–2 lead.

Mount Olive broke the game open in the seventh inning with a three-run rally, highlighted by a double from Ryder Hancock and a single by Mac James pushing the Trojans in front 6–3. The Braves responded with late runs in the eighth and ninth innings to force extras, before scoring four times in the 10th to secure the 10–6 decision.

Jakhari Howard led the Trojans at the plate in game two, going 3-for-6 with a double, while James drove in two runs, as Gales finished with two hits and an RBI and Dawson Ables drew two walks and a run. On the mound, Lucas Glover and Pete Honse combined to keep the Trojans in control through the middle innings before the late rally by UNC Pembroke.

Mount Olive will look to bounce back on the road as they face Coker on Tuesday in Hartville, S.C. with the first pitch set for 4 p.m.