MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. — The University of Mount Olive baseball team battled back multiple times but ultimately came up just short in a 10-9 loss to Southern Wesleyan University in the opening game of their three-game conference series.
Southern Wesleyan struck first in the opening inning when Tristan Tillman doubled down the left field line and later scored on a single by Nolan Evatt to give the Warriors a 1-0 lead. The visitors extended their advantage to 4-0 in the second inning after a Mount Olive error allowed a run before Cole Kirschner added a two-run single to center.
Mount Olive responded in the bottom of the second with a three-run rally. Rowan Watt singled to begin the inning and later scored after Mac James was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Tariq Talley followed with a fielder’s choice that brought in another run, and Lane McLean added a sacrifice fly to cut the deficit to 4-3.
The Trojans grabbed their first lead in the third inning. Watt singled again to reach base ahead of Josh Mason, who launched a two-run home run down the left field line to put Mount Olive ahead 5-4.
Southern Wesleyan answered in the fifth inning with a sacrifice fly from Luke Taylor and an RBI single by Tillman, reclaiming the lead at 6-5. The Trojans quickly tied the game in the bottom half of the inning when Tanner Ferguson ripped a double down the left field line, scoring Mason to make it 6-6.
After a scoreless sixth inning, the Warriors regained the lead in the seventh when Taylor delivered an RBI single through the left side. Mount Olive answered again in the bottom of the inning as Mac James dashed home on a wild pitch to even the score at 7-7.
Southern Wesleyan delivered the decisive rally in the eighth inning. A bases-loaded walk forced in the go-ahead run, and Harrison Garrett followed with a two-run single to center field to stretch the lead to 10-7.
Mount Olive mounted one final comeback attempt in the ninth. Lane McLean doubled to open the inning and later scored on a Watt RBI single. Mason added a run-scoring single to pull the Trojans within one, but the tying run was left stranded to end the game.
Gipson started on the mound for Mount Olive, allowing six runs over five innings. McLamb was charged with the loss in relief, while Hopkins finished the game with a scoreless appearance.
The Trojans will return to the field Saturday for a doubleheader to conclude the three-game series against Southern Wesleyan. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m., with the second game set for 3 p.m.
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