MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. — The University of Mount Olive baseball team delivered a dramatic Saturday sweep, edging King University 3-2 in the opener before rallying for a thrilling 5-4 walk-off victory in 10 innings to complete the doubleheader.
The Trojans set the tone early in game one when Lane McLean launched a leadoff home run down the left-field line in the first inning, giving Mount Olive a 1-0 advantage. The blast added to McLean’s standout season, as he ranks among conference leaders with eight home runs and 51 runs scored.
King responded with a run-scoring double in the third inning to tie the game, but Mount Olive answered quickly. Tanner Ferguson sparked the rally with a double and later scored on Ryder Hancock’s sacrifice fly, restoring a 2-1 Trojan lead.
Mount Olive added an insurance run in the sixth inning when Jakhari Howard — who entered the day hitting .406 with a .520 on-base percentage — doubled to lead off the inning. Mac James followed with an RBI single to extend the lead to 3-1.
King mounted a late push in the seventh inning, cutting the deficit to 3-2 after a leadoff walk and error advanced runners. However, Mount Olive held firm, retiring the final two batters with runners on base to secure the win.
Aidan Newton earned the victory with a complete-game performance, allowing seven hits and two runs across seven innings. Newton entered the contest among conference leaders with a 3.23 ERA and a .238 opponent batting average.
Game two featured even more drama.
Mount Olive trailed 4-0 entering the eighth inning after King scored in the sixth, added a two-run home run in the seventh, and extended the lead with an RBI double in the eighth.
The Trojans began their comeback in the bottom of the eighth when pinch hitter Kayden Crawford delivered a clutch extra-base hit to left field, driving in two runs to cut the deficit to 4-2. McLean followed with an RBI single to bring Mount Olive within one.
Mount Olive tied the game in the ninth inning as Josh Mason singled to lead off the frame and later scored on Malachi Gales’ RBI single through the left side. Gales has been a key contributor this season, ranking among conference leaders with a .651 slugging percentage.
After holding King scoreless in the top of the 10th inning, the Trojans executed small ball to perfection in the bottom half. McLean reached after being hit by a pitch and advanced on a sacrifice bunt. Mason then singled to move him to third before Rowan Watt delivered the game-winning sacrifice fly to right-center field, scoring McLean for the walk-off victory and series sweep.
Mount Olive returns to action Tuesday against one of the top-ranked teams in Catawba College. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. in Salisbury.
