MOUNT OLIVE, NC — The University of Mount Olive baseball team erupted for six runs in the third inning and received a commanding performance on the mound to defeat Catawba College 10-4 in non-conference action at Scarborough Field.
After a scoreless first inning, Mount Olive broke through in the second. Lane McLean drew a lead-off walk, followed by another free pass to Jakhari Howard. Josh Mason delivered an RBI single up the middle to score McLean and give the Trojans a 1-0 lead.
The Trojans seized control in the third, sending 10 batters to the plate and scoring six runs on four hits. Kayden Crawford opened the inning with a walk before Rowan Watt doubled to put two runners in scoring position. Garrett Moffett then launched a three-run home run to right field to extend the advantage to 4-0.
Mount Olive kept the momentum rolling as Mason doubled to left-center, and Dawson Ables and Mac James each drove in runs. Crawford capped the explosive frame with an RBI groundout, pushing the lead to 7-0.
Howard added a solo home run in the fourth to stretch the margin to 8-0. Catawba answered with a run in the fifth on an RBI single, but starting pitcher Pete Honse limited the damage and exited after six strong innings with an 8-1 advantage.
The Trojans continued to add insurance runs. Ryder Hancock doubled in the fifth before Ables drove him in with an RBI single to make it 9-1. In the sixth, Mason singled to center field to score Moffett and increase the lead to 10-1.
Catawba attempted a late rally in the eighth, capitalizing on an error before a two-run home run trimmed the deficit to 10-4. The Mount Olive bullpen held firm from there, as Kole Hopkins struck out two in the ninth to seal the victory.
Honse (1-0) earned the win after allowing one run on six hits with four strikeouts and no walks over six innings. John Nelson McLamb provided 1.1 innings of relief with two strikeouts, while Hopkins closed the game with 1.2 shutout innings, striking out three and allowing no hits.
Mount Olive returns to Scarborough Field on Friday as the Trojans continue their home stand against Chowan.
