WILSON — Mount Olive softball's pitching staff delivered a pair of dominant performances Tuesday, but the Trojans came up just short in both ends of a Conference Carolinas doubleheader at Barton, falling 1-0 in each.

Despite the two losses, Mount Olive's arms controlled the day, holding Barton to just two total runs across 13 innings — with the Bulldogs scoring only in the first inning of game one and the seventh inning of game two.

In the opener, Bri Verme turned in a strong complete-game effort, allowing just one run on four hits while striking out four. Barton plated its lone run in the bottom of the first, but Verme quickly settled in and kept the Bulldogs off the board the rest of the way, retiring hitters efficiently and limiting scoring chances.

Her performance sparked a stretch of 11 consecutive scoreless innings by Mount Olive pitchers, bridging into game two and keeping the Trojans within reach throughout the afternoon.

Mount Olive, however, was unable to find offensive rhythm, managing just two hits in the first game as Barton held on for the narrow victory.

Game two featured more of the same from the Trojans' pitching staff. Alex Steen opened with four shutout innings, working around traffic and keeping Barton from capitalizing early. Linda Hodge followed with 2.2 strong innings in relief, extending the scoreless streak into the seventh.

Barton finally broke through in its final at-bat, using a two-out RBI single in the bottom of the seventh to secure the sweep.

The Trojans return home Wednesday for a non-conference doubleheader against Augusta, with first pitch scheduled for 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. at Nancy Chapman Cassell Field.