MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. — Francis Marion used timely hitting and capitalized on key moments to complete a doubleheader sweep of Mount Olive on Wednesday, taking game one 6–3 and edging the Trojans 4–3 in game two.
Mount Olive entered the day hitting .292 as a team, but Francis Marion’s pitching and opportunistic offense proved to be the difference in two tightly contested matchups.
In game one, the Patriots struck first in the third inning when Jenna Walling delivered a two-out, two-RBI double to give Francis Marion an early 2–0 lead. Mount Olive responded in the fourth inning with a productive offensive surge. A run scored on a wild pitch before Allison Barbour delivered a two-RBI double to put the Trojans ahead 3–2.
The momentum shifted in the sixth inning when Francis Marion capitalized on two Mount Olive defensive errors. The Patriots plated four unearned runs during the frame, with Madalyn White capping the rally with a two-RBI double. Although Samantha Taylor doubled in the seventh to spark a potential comeback, the Trojans were unable to close the gap, falling 6–3.
Game two followed a similar script, with both teams relying on situational softball and strong pitching performances. Francis Marion opened the scoring in the second inning using small-ball tactics, putting runners on base with back-to-back bunts before plating a run on a groundout that allowed a runner to score from third.
Mount Olive answered in the third inning when Samantha Taylor, who entered the series hitting .408 with 10 home runs, blasted a solo home run to left-center field to tie the game. Taylor and Emma King, who came into the contest hitting .504 with a .558 on-base percentage, continued to lead the Trojan offense.
Francis Marion regained the lead in the fifth inning when Rylie Webster delivered a two-out, two-RBI single to put the Patriots ahead 3–1. An additional insurance run in the sixth on a sacrifice fly proved crucial as Francis Marion’s pitching staff continued to limit Mount Olive’s opportunities, stranding runners and maintaining control late in the game.
Mount Olive mounted a final rally in the seventh inning. With the bases loaded and two outs, Emma King lined a single to center field, driving in two runs and cutting the deficit to 4–3. However, with runners on first and third, the final batter grounded out, leaving the tying run stranded and sealing the sweep for Francis Marion.
On the mound, Alex Steen went the distance in game two, while Hailey King battled through six innings in game one, allowing just two earned runs in a strong effort.
Mount Olive now looks ahead to a short break for Easter before returning to action Tuesday against Barton in a doubleheader scheduled for 2:00 and 4:00 p.m.
