MOUNT OLIVE — The Mount Olive Trojans closed out their home series Saturday with two tightly contested matchups against the UNC Pembroke Braves, battling into the late innings of both games before falling 6–3 and 10–6.
Game One: Early Power Not Enough
Mount Olive answered an early first-inning run by UNC Pembroke with a strong bottom half of the inning. Malachi Gales sparked the offense with a two-run home run to left-center, driving in Rowan Watt to give the Trojans a 2–1 lead.
Lane McLean added a solo homer in the third inning to knot the score at 3–3.
The Braves regained control in the fifth, capitalizing on multiple baserunners to score three runs. Despite collecting six hits in the contest, the Trojans were unable to mount a late rally, as UNC Pembroke held on for the 6–3 victory.
Gales finished 1-for-2 with two RBIs, Watt went 2-for-4, and McLean added an RBI in the loss.
Game Two: Extras Favor Braves
The nightcap featured even more drama, as Mount Olive tallied 12 hits and forced extra innings.
Gales continued his strong weekend at the plate with a solo home run in the third inning. The Trojans added two runs in the fourth to take a 3–2 lead, then broke the game open in the seventh with a three-run rally. A double by Ryder Hancock and an RBI single from Mac James helped push Mount Olive ahead 6–3.
However, the Braves responded with late runs in the eighth and ninth innings to even the score and send the game into extras. UNC Pembroke seized momentum in the 10th, plating four runs to secure the 10–6 win.
Jakhari Howard led the Trojans offensively in game two, going 3-for-6 with a double. James drove in two runs, while Gales added two hits and an RBI. Dawson Ables contributed by drawing two walks and scoring a run.
On the mound, Lucas Glover and Pete Honse combined to steady the Trojans through the middle innings before the late rally shifted the outcome.
Mount Olive will look to rebound Tuesday when they travel to face the Coker Cobras in Hartsville, South Carolina. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.
