MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. — In a game that felt more like a home run derby than a traditional contest, the University of Mount Olive baseball team powered past King (Tenn.), 9–8, on Friday afternoon at Scarborough Field.  With the win, Mount Olive improved to 20–18 overall and 13–12 in Conference Carolinas play, while King fell to 12–28 overall and 9–16 in league action.

King struck first in the opening inning, capitalizing on a Mount Olive error before stringing together back-to-back RBI doubles to take an early 2–0 lead.

Mount Olive answered in the bottom of the second inning when Garrett Moffett erased the deficit with one swing. After Jakhari Howard reached on an error and stole second, Moffett launched his eighth home run of the year to right field, knotting the score at 2–2.

The Trojans seized momentum in the third inning with a four-run rally fueled by patience at the plate and aggressive baserunning. With the bases loaded, Mount Olive capitalized on a throwing error to score two runs. Moments later, Moffett lined his third triple of the season down the right-field line, driving in two more and stretching the lead to 6–2.

King began its first significant comeback attempt in the seventh inning when Logan Janney connected for a three-run home run, trimming the deficit to 6–5 and shifting momentum back to the visitors.

The Trojans responded immediately in the bottom half with one of the game's defining sequences. Josh Mason reached base, then Rowan Watt ripped an RBI double down the left-field line—his 18th double of the season, tying him for most doubles in the nation. Moments later, Malachi Gales delivered the loudest swing, launching his eighth home run of the year—a two-run shot to left field—to push the lead to 9–5.

King continued to battle, adding two runs in the eighth inning on another Janney home run. In the ninth, the Tornado loaded the bases and brought the tying run into scoring position, but Mount Olive turned to Gabe Adams. Adams entered in relief and induced a game-ending double play to seal the victory and record his first save of the season.

On the mound, Carson Gipson kept the Tornado offense in check through much of the middle innings, working 6.2 innings, giving up five runs and striking out eight to earn his sixth win of the season.

The Trojans look to continue their winning ways tomorrow as they finish the Conference Carolina series with games scheduled for 12:00 and 3:00 PM.