Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 CENTRAL, S.C. – The University of Mount Olive softball team split a Friday doubleheader against Southern Wesleyan, falling in game one before responding with a 7-3 victory in the nightcap.

Southern Wesleyan took an early lead in the opener, scoring two runs in the first on extra-base hits. The Warriors added two more in the second with wild pitches and timely hitting, making it 4-0.  Mount Olive threatened in the second, putting runners in scoring position after a lead-off double by Elizabeth Thome and a bunt single by Kynley Brewer, but could not capitalize. Multiple base runners reached, but timely hitting was lacking.

Emma King was a bright spot offensively in game one, collecting multiple hits, including a double. The Trojans could not generate sustained offense, while Southern Wesleyan added an insurance run in the fourth and broke the game open with three unearned runs in the fifth to secure an 8-0 win.

Mount Olive quickly rebounded in game two, taking an early lead in the first. Samantha Taylor drew a leadoff walk and scored on King's RBI single. Brittany Stephens added an RBI double and Kynley Brewer drove in another run, making it 3-0.

After Southern Wesleyan scored in the second and third, Mount Olive answered. Brewer's second RBI in the third made it 4-1, and the Trojans broke the game open in the fourth.  After a leadoff walk and a bunt single, Taylor hit a three-run home run to center to push the lead to 7-2.

In the circle, Alex Steen tossed a complete game with eight strikeouts, limiting Southern Wesleyan to two earned runs. She allowed only an unearned run in the sixth, sealing the 7-3 win.

With the split, Mount Olive stays at .500 on the season with 8-6 in conference play.  The Trojans return tomorrow to face Erskine in another Conference Carolinas doubleheader in Due West, SC.  The games are scheduled for 1:00 and 3:00 PM.