A failed pickoff attempt with the bases loaded brought home the winning run as nationally top-ranked Mount Olive rallied for four runs in the bottom of the ninth for a 6-5 victory over Newberry in non-conference baseball Sunday at Scarborough Field. The win completes a three-game series sweep and keeps the Trojans undefeated.
Trailing 5-2 heading into the ninth, Mount Olive (6-0) greeted Daniel Nations with a walk by Tyler Farmer, followed by singles from Will Bynum and Zak Orrison to load the bases with no outs. Cole Cromer (1-1) relieved Nations, but walked Mike Mercurio to force in one run, then Matt Petrone singled to left to tie the game 5-5. Petrone was thrown out trying to advance to second on the play, but he managed to move the winning run to third base with one out. After an intentional walk to Geno Escalante, Matt Chapman was brought in the end the threat.
Chapman's first move was a pickoff attempt at first base. The throw sailed past the first baseman allowing Orrison to walk home with the winner.
The comeback made a winner of Colin DuBose (1-0). DuBose, the fourth Trojan pitcher, got out of trouble with the bases loaded in the eighth. Chris Orphonos helped keep the Wolves (4-5) in check after Newberry took a 1-0 lead in the fifth. The Wolves added a second tally in the seventh before Mount Olive awoke.
In the bottom of the inning, Jermaine Berry and Daniel Oliver led off with singles. After a Farmer sacrifice, and a groundout, Orrison came through with a two-out, two-run double to tie the game 2-2.
The lead only lasted a half inning when Newberry struck for two more.
For much of the contest, Newberry pitching kept Mount Olive's bats silent. Starting pitcher Jon Rosenberger allotted Mount Olive a pair of singles in the second and little more until being relieved in the seventh.
The Trojans' Derek Justice only allowed one run on four hits, but was in constant trouble thanks to four walks.
The Trojans return to action Wednesday when Shaw University travels to Scarborough Field for a 2 p.m. start.