DUNCAN, S.C. – The University of Mount Olive softball team dominated Conference Carolinas Tournament action, earning a 5-2 win over Barton and a 15-3 victory against No. 2 seed Young Harris on Thursday.

Earlier in the day, against Barton, Mount Olive used a big second inning and a strong performance in the circle to secure the 5-2 victory. After a scoreless first inning, Brianna Verme sparked the offense with a single before Emily Saw delivered an RBI double to right center to open the scoring. The Trojans made use of a Barton error to add another run, and Samantha Taylor followed with an RBI single to give Mount Olive a 3-0 lead.

In the fifth inning, Verme delivered a decisive two-RBI single for a 5-0 lead. Barton rallied in the sixth with two runs, first from an RBI single and then a sacrifice fly . Despite the brief Barton surge, Mount Olive controlled the inning and halted additional runs.

Alex Steen tossed a complete game to improve to 16-7, scattering seven hits and allowing just two runs—only one earned—over 7.0 innings. She struck out nine and walked two on 119 pitches, working out of multiple scoring situations. The Trojans' defense sealed the win by stranding three runners in the seventh inning.

Building on their win over Barton, Mount Olive carried that momentum into its matchup against No. 2 seed Young Harris, delivering an offensive explosion in a 15-3 run-rule victory.

After trailing 3-0 in the second inning on three unearned runs, the Trojans ignited the crowd with a massive third inning, erupting for 11 runs on nine hits as 15 batters approached the plate. Samantha Taylor sparked the comeback with an RBI double, and Emma King followed with an intense two-run double to tie the game. Verme's RBI single catapulted Mount Olive into the lead, and Hadley Womack unleashed a dramatic three-RBI triple to blow the game wide open. Taylor added another RBI triple, and McKenzie Millard and King delivered clutch hits to push the advantage to 11-3.

Mount Olive kept rolling in the fourth when Kynley Brewer drew a bases-loaded walk. In the fifth, the Trojans added three more runs by capitalizing on defensive errors and aggressive baserunning, further cementing their dominant lead at 15-3.

Steen returned to the circle and earned her second win of the day, improving to 17-7. She allowed just three hits and three runs—only one earned—over 5.0 innings, striking out three and walking four while inducing 10 groundouts. Mount Olive's defense backed the effort with key plays, including a double play in the fifth, as the Trojans held Young Harris scoreless over the final three innings.

The Trojans look to continue their Conference run when they play their next game against Southern Wesleyan at noon, with the winner playing the winner of Francis Marion and Converse,