MOUNT OLIVE, NC — Mount Olive battled Southern Wesleyan in the opener of their three-game conference series. Despite a series of late-game runs, the Trojans could not secure the go-ahead run and ultimately fell 10-9.  
Southern Wesleyan struck first in the opening inning. Tristan Tillman doubled down the left field line and then scored when Nolan Evatt singled him home, putting the Warriors up 1-0. Their advantage grew to 4-0 in the second as a Mount Olive error allowed a run, and Cole Kirschner followed with a two-run single to center.
Mount Olive answered with a three-run rally in the bottom of the second. Rowan Watt started with a single and crossed the plate when Mac James was hit by a pitch, bases loaded. Next, Tariq Talley drove in a run with a fielder's choice, and Lane McLean's sacrifice fly to left trimmed the deficit to 4-3.
In the third inning, the Trojans seized their first lead. Watt singled again, setting the stage for Josh Mason, who launched a two-run home run down the left field line and gave Mount Olive a 5-4 advantage.
Southern Wesleyan answered in the fifth inning, using a sacrifice fly from Luke Taylor and an RBI single by Tillman to reclaim a 6-5 lead. Mount Olive quickly responded in the bottom half when Tanner Ferguson ripped a double down the left field line to plate Mason and knot the contest at 6-6.
After a scoreless sixth inning, the Warriors surged ahead in the seventh as Taylor punched an RBI single through the left side. Mount Olive rallied again in the bottom of the frame when Mac James dashed home on a wild pitch, leveling the score at 7-7.
Southern Wesleyan delivered the decisive blow in the eighth. A bases-loaded walk forced in the go-ahead run. Harrison Garrett then added a two-run single to center, extending the lead to 10-7.
Mount Olive mounted a final rally in the ninth inning. Lane McLean doubled to open and eventually scored on a Watt RBI single. Josh Mason followed with a run-scoring single, pulling the Trojans within one. Still, the comeback attempt ended with the tying run left stranded.
Gipson started for Mount Olive, allowing six runs over five innings. McLamb took the loss in relief, and Hopkins finished the game scoreless.
The Trojans return to play tomorrow in a doubleheader to finish out the three-game series against Southern Wesleyan.  The games begin at 12:00 and 3:00 PM!