MOUNT OLIVE, NC – The University of Mount Olive softball team split its doubleheader against the University of South Carolina Beaufort on Tuesday afternoon at Cassell Field, dropping the opener 10-0 before responding with a 5-4 victory in game two.
Game One: USC Beaufort 10, Mount Olive 0 (5 innings)
USC Beaufort wasted no time offensively, erupting for five runs in the top of the first inning. After two-out walks extended the frame, a two-run double down the left field line before a three-run homer to left center gave the Sand Sharks an early 5-0 advantage.
The visitors added four runs in the second inning on five hits and tacked on another run in the fourth to extend the lead to 10-0.
Mount Olive generated scoring opportunities but was unable to capitalize. Emma King recorded two hits and stole a base, while B. Verme added a single. The Trojans placed runners in scoring position in multiple innings but could not produce the timely hit.
Game Two: Mount Olive 5, USC Beaufort 4
USC Beaufort opened the scoring in the second inning, manufacturing a run on a wild pitch. Alex Steen worked out of further trouble in the frame, stranding a runner and limiting the damage despite multiple walks.
The Trojans answered at the bottom of the third. McKenzie Millard drew a walk and moved into scoring position before Emma King lined an RBI single to tie the game. Samantha Taylor followed with a run-scoring single up the middle to give Mount Olive a 2-1 lead.
In the fourth inning, the Trojans created separation with three runs on four hits. Cadence Lane sparked the rally with a pinch-hit RBI double to left center. Madelyn Sutton followed with an RBI single, and Millard capped the inning with a run-scoring base hit to extend the lead to 5-1.
Steen settled in as the game progressed, working around traffic throughout the afternoon. The right-hander allowed just two hits across seven innings while striking out seven, throwing over 140 pitches. Although USC Beaufort drew nine walks, Steen consistently pitched out of jams and limited hard contact, with key flyouts and ground balls to keep the Sand Sharks off the scoreboard through the middle innings.
USC Beaufort made one final push in the seventh, loading the bases and scoring twice to cut the deficit to 5-4. Mount Olive was able to hold off the runners to keep the winning runs from scoring and got out of a particularly messy situation. 
With the split, Mount Olive looks to return home on Saturday to face off against Shaw with games starting at noon and 2:00 PM.