GASTONIA, N.C. – With their backs against the wall and less than 24 hours removed from a gritty showdown with nationally-ranked Belmont Abbey College, the University of Mount Olive baseball team roared back, overpowering Erskine College 8-4 on Friday afternoon to electrify their postseason run in the Conference Carolina's Tournament.
Mount Olive seized control in the opening frame. After
Lane McLean—team leader with 12 home runs and 62 runs scored—reached base, the Trojans capitalized.
Rowan Watt, the RBI leader with 54, delivered an RBI single, followed by
Ryder Hancock's run-producing hit.
Mac James, second on the team in RBIs, produced the game's crucial swing: his three-run home run to left field capped Mount Olive's explosive six-run first inning, setting the tone for this elimination game.
In the second,
Jakhari Howard extended the lead to 7-0 with an RBI double to right center, reinforcing the Trojans' strong start at the plate.
Erskine cut Mount Olive's lead by scoring twice in the third inning and once in the seventh, but the Trojans responded each time. Howard's bases-loaded walk in the third reestablished Mount Olive's advantage, showing their ability to hold control.
Equally important to the Trojans' success was a tremendous effort on the mound from
Carson Gipson. The right-hander worked all 9.0 innings, allowing four runs on 12 hits while striking out four to earn his ninth win of the season.
Despite multiple scoring threats from Erskine, the Trojans remained composed, relying on sound defense to solidify the win in the later innings.
In the seventh, Erskine closed the gap to 8-4, injecting tension into the game's final innings. Mount Olive responded by retiring six of the last seven batters, decisively ending Erskine's rally and confirming their win.
The Trojans carry momentum into their postseason journey in Gastonia, aiming to get to work tomorrow morning, as they have their work cut out for them, facing the top-seeded and #3 team in the country, NGU, at 11:00 AM.
