MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. — The University of Mount Olive Trojans closed out their weekend series in dominant fashion, sweeping a Sunday doubleheader against the Southern Wesleyan Warriors with an 11-0 shutout in the opener and a 7-5 victory in the finale.
Mount Olive set the tone early in game one, erupting for nine runs in the first three innings. After Lane McLean was hit by a pitch, Rowan Watt drove in the first run with a sacrifice fly. Ryder Hancock followed with a two-run single, and Tanner Ferguson added another sacrifice fly to give the Trojans a quick 4-0 lead.
The Trojans broke the game wide open in the third inning with a five-run rally. Hancock delivered again with a two-run double down the right field line, and Connor Tepatti followed with a two-run single to right. Mac James later added another run in the inning, pushing the lead to 9-0.
Mount Olive capped the scoring in the fifth when James launched a two-run home run to left field, extending the advantage to 11-0.
On the mound, Aidan Newton delivered a dominant performance, tossing a complete-game shutout. The right-hander allowed just three hits while striking out seven over seven innings to earn the win.
The Trojans carried that momentum into the series finale but had to battle for the win.
Southern Wesleyan struck first on an RBI single by Garrett, but Mount Olive quickly responded. Ferguson tied the game with an RBI single before Bullard singled home another run. James then added a sacrifice fly to give the Trojans a 3-1 lead.
The Warriors tied the game in the third inning, but Mount Olive answered once again. Howard doubled in Watt to reclaim the lead, and Hancock followed with another RBI double to make it 5-3.
Southern Wesleyan rallied in the seventh inning, capitalizing on a balk and an RBI single to tie the game at 5-5 and keep the contest close.
Mount Olive regained control in the eighth. Watt led off the inning with a double before Hancock drove him home with an RBI double to left-center. Ferguson followed with another run-scoring double down the left field line, stretching the lead to 7-5.
Kole Hopkins sealed the victory over the final three innings, allowing just one hit and one walk while keeping the Warriors off the scoreboard to earn the win in relief.
Lucas Glover started the finale, allowing three runs while striking out three over three innings. Pete Honse worked three innings in relief before Hopkins closed out the win.
With the sweep, the Trojans improve to 11-13 overall and 6-9 in Conference Carolinas play.
Mount Olive will return to action for a midweek matchup against Georgia College & State University Bobcats in Lexington, South Carolina, with first pitch scheduled for 4 p.m.
