MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. — The University of Mount Olive softball team closed the regular season with a split Sunday against Chowan University, earning a 7-0 shutout victory in game one before falling 5-2 in the nightcap during a Conference Carolinas doubleheader.
Mount Olive wasted no time taking control in the opener, using a dominant outing from Alex Steen and an explosive first inning at the plate. After escaping an early jam in the top of the first, the Trojans erupted for three runs in the bottom half. Samantha Taylor sparked the rally with a single and stolen base, while Emma King, Elizabeth Thome, and Kaylee Cox each drove in runs to give Mount Olive a 3-0 lead.
The Trojans extended their advantage in the second inning as King delivered another RBI single to make it 4-0. Mount Olive added a run in the fourth when King drew a bases-loaded walk, before breaking the game open in the sixth inning.
King — who is on pace to post the best batting average in Trojan history and currently ranks third all-time in hits — highlighted the inning with an inside-the-park home run. Thome followed with a sacrifice fly to push the lead to 7-0.
Steen dominated in the circle, tossing her 17th complete game and third shutout of the season. She limited Chowan to just two hits while striking out five, bringing her season total to 150 strikeouts — fourth-most in Mount Olive history for a single season. Despite issuing several walks, Steen consistently escaped trouble to keep the Hawks off the scoreboard.
Chowan bounced back in game two, scoring first in the opening inning when Kyra Helton delivered an RBI single. The Hawks added another run in the third inning for a 2-0 lead before Mount Olive responded in the bottom half. Hadley Womack doubled and later scored on a throwing error to cut the deficit to 2-1.
The Trojans tied the game in the fourth as Emma King reached base and Elizabeth Thome recorded her 27th RBI of the season to even the score at 2-2. However, Chowan regained control in the fifth inning, using aggressive baserunning and timely hitting to plate two runs and take a 4-2 lead.
Mount Olive threatened in the bottom of the fifth when Kynley Brewer delivered a pinch-hit triple, but the Trojans were unable to capitalize. Chowan added an insurance run in the seventh inning as Helton recorded her third RBI of the game, sealing the 5-2 victory.
Brianna Verme started game two for Mount Olive, allowing two runs over four innings, while Steen took the loss in relief.
With the split, Mount Olive finishes the regular season at 27-23 overall and 16-12 in Conference Carolinas play. The Trojans secured the No. 7 seed in the conference tournament and will face No. 10 Barton College at 11 a.m. on April 23 in Duncan, South Carolina. A win would advance Mount Olive to face No. 2 Young Harris College later that day at 4 p.m.
