MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. — The University of Mount Olive Trojans softball put together a complete team effort on Wednesday, using dominant pitching in Game 1 and late-game heroics in Game 2 to sweep Barton Bulldogs softball 6-1 and 6-5 in eight innings.
In the opener, Mount Olive broke a scoreless tie in the third inning and never looked back. Emily Saw sparked the offense with a solo home run before the Trojans capitalized on a Barton error to plate two more runs. Kynley Brewer later drew a bases-loaded walk to cap a four-run inning and give Mount Olive a commanding lead.
Barton managed to get on the board in the fourth, but the Trojans quickly responded. Samantha Taylor extended the lead with a solo home run in the sixth, and another run scored on a wild pitch to seal the 6-1 victory.
In the circle, Emma Myatt delivered a standout complete-game performance, allowing just one run on six hits while striking out five to keep Barton in check.
Game 2 proved to be a back-and-forth battle. After Barton struck first, Emma King quickly tied the game with an RBI single. Mount Olive took the lead in the second behind an RBI double from Taylor and added another run in the third on a bunt single from Saw.
The Bulldogs fought back to tie the game and later took a 5-4 lead in the sixth inning, but the Trojans refused to fold. King delivered again with a solo home run earlier in the contest, and Mount Olive stayed within striking distance thanks to strong pitching from Alex Steen, who struck out six over eight innings.
Trailing late, the Trojans came through in the clutch. With two outs in the seventh, Brittany Stephens drove in the tying run with an RBI double to force extra innings.
In the eighth, Mount Olive capitalized on the international tiebreaker. Brewer’s leadoff single moved the runner into scoring position, setting the stage for Taylor, who delivered a walk-off RBI single to complete the 6-5 victory and secure the doubleheader sweep.
Mount Olive returns to action Friday for a conference matchup against the Southern Wesleyan Warriors softball in Central, South Carolina, with games scheduled for 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
