WILSON, N.C. — The University of Mount Olive Trojans continued their strong push through conference play over Easter weekend, sweeping a doubleheader against Barton College and showcasing a powerful offensive surge to improve to 19-17 overall and reach .500 in conference competition.
Mount Olive wasted no time setting the tone in the first game. Lane McLean sparked the offense in the opening inning by drawing a walk, stealing second, advancing to third, and scoring on a sacrifice fly from Josh Mason.
After Barton tied the game 1-1 in the second inning, the Trojans responded quickly. Mount Olive loaded the bases with patience at the plate, and Mason delivered again with a sharp single to left field, driving in two runs and giving the Trojans a 4-1 advantage.
The Trojans continued to build momentum in the third inning as Jakhari Howard doubled and later scored on an RBI double from Malachi Gales, extending the lead to 5-1.
Mount Olive delivered the decisive blow in the fourth inning. Rowan Watt ripped an RBI double before Howard launched a two-run home run to left field, pushing the lead to 8-2 and energizing the Trojans’ dugout.
On the mound, Newton delivered a dominant performance, throwing a complete game with 10 strikeouts across seven innings. The right-hander allowed three runs — two earned — and closed the game with two strikeouts to end a seventh-inning threat.
Trojans Dominate Game Three, 18-1
Mount Olive carried that momentum into game three, overwhelming Barton in an 18-1 rout fueled by relentless offense and strong pitching.
After a scoreless start, the Trojans broke through in the third inning as Tanner Ferguson and Mac James reached base before McLean delivered an RBI double. Mason followed with an RBI groundout to make it 2-0.
The Trojans blew the game open in the fourth inning. Howard singled to begin the rally before Ferguson crushed a two-run home run down the left field line, pushing the lead to 6-0.
Mount Olive continued to pile on in the fifth inning when Gales launched a solo home run. The biggest offensive surge came in the sixth inning, when the Trojans erupted for seven runs. Watt delivered a two-RBI double, Garrett Moffett added a two-run single, and James contributed a sacrifice fly as the Trojans built a commanding 14-0 lead.
Mount Olive wasn’t finished. In the ninth inning, McLean singled in a run before Halstead capped the scoring with a three-run homer to secure the 18-1 victory.
On the mound, Pete Honse tossed six shutout innings, allowing just two hits and striking out four to earn the win. Aidan Bisbano, Mike Walsh, and Hank Downum closed out the game, combining to allow just one run.
With the sweep, the Trojans continue trending upward as they prepare for their next matchup against Newberry College in a neutral-site contest at Carolina Bank Field in Florence, South Carolina. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.
