MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. – The University of Mount Olive softball team used dominant pitching in Game 1 and late-game persistence in Game 2 to complete a doubleheader sweep of Barton, winning 6-1 and 6-5 (8 innings).
The opening game remained scoreless through the first two innings before Mount Olive broke things open in the third. Emily Saw ignited the offense with a solo home run to give the Trojans a 1-0 lead, continuing her steady production at the plate this season. Capitalizing on that momentum, Mount Olive kept the pressure on, capitalizing on a Barton error that allowed two runs to score. Later in the inning, Kynley Brewer worked a bases-loaded walk to cap a four-run frame and extend the lead to 4-0.
Barton answered in the fourth inning with an RBI double to cut the deficit to 4-1, but the Trojans quickly regained control in the following frames.
Continuing their attacking efforts, in the sixth inning, Samantha Taylor—one of Mount Olive's most consistent hitters this season with a .400+ average—launched a solo home run to left-center to extend the lead. The Trojans added another run later in the inning on a wild pitch to make it 6-1.
In the circle, Emma Myatt delivered a complete-game performance, allowing just one run on six hits while striking out five. The right-hander, who holds a 3.48 ERA on the season, worked efficiently and limited Barton's opportunities throughout to secure the win.
Game 2 proved to be a see-saw battle, with Mount Olive responding to every Barton push before walking it off in the eighth inning. This time, Barton struck first in the opening inning, but the Trojans answered immediately. Emma King—who has been one of the most dominant hitters in the lineup this season with a .494 average—delivered an RBI single to tie the game at 1-1.
Building on that early response, Mount Olive took the lead in the second inning behind Samantha Taylor, who drove in a run with an RBI double. The Trojans added to their advantage in the third through execution, as Emily Saw brought in another run with a precisely placed bunt single to make it 3-1.
Although Barton chipped away with runs in the fourth and fifth innings to tie the game at 3-3, Mount Olive continued to respond. Leading off the bottom of the fifth, King came through again, launching a solo home run to give the Trojans a 4-3 lead and further showcase her effect at the plate.
However, the Bulldogs regained the lead in the sixth with a two-RBI triple, putting Mount Olive behind 5-4 late in the game. Despite the pressure, the Trojans stayed composed.
Throughout these shifting leads, traffic in the circle did not deter Alex Steen, who was able to withstand the Barton offense by tossing all eight innings and striking out six. As one of the team's most reliable arms this season, boasting a 2.98 ERA and 95 strikeouts, Steen kept the deficit within reach and gave the offense a chance to respond late.
That crucial offensive response came in the seventh inning. With two outs, Brittany Stephens delivered in a clutch moment, driving an RBI double to left-center to tie the game at 5-5 and force extra innings.
Following a strong defensive stand in the eighth, Mount Olive capitalized on the international tiebreaker. Kynley Brewer led off with a single to move the placed runner to third, which set up Samantha Taylor to deliver a walk-off RBI single and seal the electric 6-5 victory, completing the sweep.
The Trojans return Friday to play against Southern Wesleyan in Central, SC, for some in-conference action!  The games are scheduled for 2:00 and 4:00 PM.