GASTONIA, N.C. – The University of Mount Olive lost a close, high-scoring game against No. 24 Belmont Abbey College, falling 13-11 in the Conference Carolinas Tournament opener Thursday afternoon.
Both teams opened the contest with a sense of urgency, as neither side recorded a hit through the first two innings. Fresh off earning All-Conference honors,
Aidan Newton set the tone early on the mound, matching zeros with the nationally-ranked Crusaders in a tightly contested start. Newton finished the game with 8 strikeouts in 6.0 innings.
Mount Olive broke through in the third inning when
Garrett Moffett doubled to spark the offense before
Mac James launched a two-run home run to left field, giving the Trojans an early 2-0 advantage.
Belmont Abbey quickly answered, tying the game in the bottom half of the inning on a clutch two-out, two-run double to even the score at 2-2.
The Crusaders went ahead in the fourth inning, scoring four runs, including two unearned, to lead 6-2.
Despite the deficit, the Trojans showed resilience.
All-Conference selection
Rowan Watt helped anchor that fight throughout the game, while Mount Olive chipped away in the seventh inning behind a clutch three-run home run from
Lane McLean, cutting the deficit to just one run at 6-5.
Belmont Abbey added two runs in the bottom of the seventh, but Mount Olive had their biggest moment in the eighth.
Watt led off the frame with a solo home run before the Trojans loaded the bases, setting the stage for McLean's second home run of the game—a go-ahead grand slam that capped a five-run inning and gave Mount Olive a dramatic 10-8 lead.
Belmont Abbey used several hit batters, walks, and timely hits in the bottom of the eighth to score five runs and take a 13-10 lead.
Mount Olive fought until the end; Watt hit his second home run in the ninth, but the comeback fell short.
Even with the loss, Mount Olive showed they can play well against top teams.
Mount Olive now turns its attention to a must-win elimination game on Friday at 1:00 p.m. against Erskine. The winner advances to face the loser of the NGU and Young Harris matchup Saturday at 11:00 a.m.
