CENTRAL, S.C. – The University of Mount Olive softball team battled to a split in Friday’s Conference Carolinas doubleheader against Southern Wesleyan, dropping the opener before responding with a decisive 7-3 victory in game two.
Southern Wesleyan set the tone early in the first game, plating two runs in the opening inning on extra-base hits before adding two more in the second. The Trojans threatened in the second inning after a leadoff double by Elizabeth Thome and a bunt single from Kynley Brewer put runners in scoring position, but Mount Olive was unable to capitalize.
Despite multiple base runners throughout the contest, the Trojans struggled to deliver timely hits. Emma King provided a bright spot offensively with multiple hits, including a double, but Southern Wesleyan continued to build its lead with an insurance run in the fourth and three unearned runs in the fifth to secure an 8-0 victory.
Mount Olive quickly turned the page in game two, jumping out to an early lead in the first inning. Samantha Taylor drew a leadoff walk and came around to score on an RBI single by King. Brittany Stephens followed with an RBI double, and Brewer added another run-scoring hit to give the Trojans a 3-0 advantage.
Southern Wesleyan chipped away with runs in the second and third innings, but Mount Olive answered each time. Brewer collected her second RBI of the game in the third, and the Trojans broke things open in the fourth. After a leadoff walk and bunt single set the stage, Taylor delivered a three-run home run to center field, extending the lead to 7-2.
In the circle, Alex Steen delivered a strong performance, tossing a complete game with eight strikeouts while allowing just two earned runs. She surrendered only an unearned run in the sixth inning, helping seal the 7-3 win.
With the split, Mount Olive moves to .500 on the season and holds an 8-6 mark in conference play. The Trojans will return to action Saturday in Due West, S.C., where they are set to face Erskine in another Conference Carolinas doubleheader scheduled for 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
