COLUMBUS, Ga. – The Mount Olive Trojans traveled south to Columbus, Georgia, on Friday to compete in the Cougar Hurricane Classic hosted by Columbus State Cougars, opening the weekend with a pair of hard-fought contests.

In the opener, Mount Olive was held scoreless in a 6–0 setback against Montevallo who are currently receiving votes in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll.

The Trojans recorded four hits in the game, led by two singles from Cadence Lane, while Samantha Taylor and Bri Verme each added hits. In the circle, Hailey King earned the start before Linda Hodge provided 4.1 innings of relief, limiting Montevallo to three runs over the middle frames as the Trojan defense played clean softball without an error.

Mount Olive responded in game two with a strong offensive start against the host Cougars. The Trojans jumped out to a 4–0 lead in the first inning, highlighted by a three-run home run from Taylor and a solo blast by Brittany Stephens. Emma King went 3-for-4 at the plate, while Taylor finished with three RBIs as Lane and Stephens drove in one each.

The Trojans carried the lead deep into the game before Columbus State tied the contest in the seventh inning. Mount Olive regained the advantage in the top of the eighth as Lane lifted a sacrifice fly to bring home the go-ahead run. The Cougars, however, answered with two runs in the bottom of the inning to claim a 6–5 walk-off victory.

Mount Olive returns home Tuesday for a mid-week matchup against USC Beaufort for a 2 and 4 p.m. matchup at Nancy Chapman Cassell Field.