MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. — The University of Mount Olive softball team split its doubleheader against Augusta on Wednesday, winning Game 1, 4–3, before dropping Game 2, 5–3, at Cassell Field. Mount Olive is now 22–22, while Augusta is 19–20.
In the opener, Mount Olive capitalized on a clutch fifth-inning rally and a complete-game effort from Brianna Verme, resulting in a hard-fought 4–3 victory to start the doubleheader.

The Trojans created a scoring threat in the first inning when Kynley Brewer reached on an error. Emma King, who recently made the National Player of the Year Watchlist, singled to right to put runners on first and second, but Augusta's defense managed to escape the inning without allowing a run by forcing consecutive outs.

Augusta opened the scoring in the second with a solo home run and added another run for a 2–0 lead. Mount Olive responded in the third when McKenzie Millard singled, advanced on Brewer's sacrifice bunt, and King followed with an RBI single to make it 2–1.
The momentum shifted in the fifth inning. Samantha Taylor and Millard worked back-to-back walks to start the frame, and King singled to load the bases. With two outs, Verme delivered the biggest swing of the game, driving a double to right field that cleared the bases and gave Mount Olive a 4–2 advantage.

Verme stayed strong in the circle, pitching a complete game and allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits with six strikeouts.

Augusta threatened in the seventh with a leadoff double, and later scored when a throwing error allowed the runner to cross the plate and cut Mount Olive's lead to 4–3. Verme then retired the final batter to secure the victory for Mount Olive.

In Game 2, Augusta took control with a five-run sixth inning to erase a Mount Olive lead and claim a 5–3 win. Early chances by both teams went unconverted. Taylor singled for Mount Olive and stole second and third, while King walked and stole second, but neither team scored.

Mount Olive broke a scoreless tie in the fourth: Verme singled, advanced on a groundout, and then scored from second on a throwing error after Thome put the ball in play, giving Mount Olive a 1–0 lead. In the fifth, Brewer singled, King tripled to drive her in, and King later scored on a passed ball for a 3–0 advantage.

Augusta's sixth-inning rally began with a walk, followed by a bunt single and errors. Timely hitting and miscues produced five runs, giving Augusta a 5–3 lead. Mount Olive attempted to rally in the sixth when Thome drew a walk, but Augusta held firm in the final innings to secure the split.

Emma Myatt started for Mount Olive, pitching 5.2 innings and allowing five runs (two earned) on four hits. Linda Hodge was relieved, recording the final four outs to keep the Trojans close.

The Trojans look to the end of the busy week with another doubleheader against King on Friday, with the doubleheader scheduled to begin at 4:00 and 6:00 PM.