MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. – The University of Mount Olive baseball team delivered one of its most impressive performances of the season on Friday, erupting for 20 runs in a commanding 20–5 victory over Erskine.  The Trojans set the tone early and never looked back, using a powerful seventh inning to highlight their best offensive showcase of the season.

    Mount Olive opened the scoring in the first inning when Rowan Watt laced an RBI double down the right field line to bring home Lane McLean. After Erskine answered in the bottom half, the Trojans quickly regained control in the third inning with a five-hit outburst.

    Ryder Hancock drove in the go-ahead run with a single before Malachi Gales delivered the big blow—a bases-clearing double to right center—to give Mount Olive a 5–1 advantage.  The Trojans added to their lead in the fourth and fifth innings, highlighted by a solo home run from McLean to extend the lead to 7–3.

    Holding that advantage into the seventh inning, Mount Olive delivered a decisive rally to break the game wide open.  Mac James was hit by a pitch to begin the inning and moved into scoring position before Lane McLean jumpstarted the surge with an RBI double down the left field line. Kayden Crawford followed with an RBI single up the middle to make it 9–3, and Josh Mason kept the pressure on with a base hit to left to put two runners on.

    Rowan Watt continued his strong day at the plate, driving in another run with a double down the left field line as the Trojans continued to string together quality at-bats. Jakhari Howard then delivered a two-RBI single through the right side, pushing the advantage into double digits and forcing another pitching change.  Mount Olive showed patience and execution as the inning continued, taking advantage of traffic on the bases. After a fielding error allowed another run to score, Mac James came through again in his second plate appearance of the inning with a two-RBI single up the middle.

    The Trojans kept the line moving from there, as Crawford drew a bases-loaded walk and Mason was hit by a pitch to bring in additional runs. With two outs, Watt capped the inning with a two-run single back up the middle—his second multi-RBI hit of the frame—highlighting an inning in which Mount Olive recorded eight hits, drew a walk, and capitalized on multiple hit-by-pitches.

    In total, the Trojans sent 16 batters to the plate and scored 11 runs in the inning to extend the lead to 18–3.  Mount Olive added two more runs in the eighth inning to reach the 20-run mark and put the finishing touches on the victory.

    On the mound, Carson Gipson (3-3) earned the win after turning in a solid start. The right-hander tossed six innings, allowing just one earned run while scattering seven hits. Gipson worked efficiently and limited Erskine's opportunities, keeping the Trojans in control throughout his outing.

    The Trojans return tomorrow for games two and three of the three-game series against Erskine.  The games are scheduled for 12:00 and 3:00 PM.