Six run first inning outburst by the 16th-ranked University of Mount Olive Trojans is enough to notch a game one win 14-0 over Pfeiffer University Friday night in Conference Carolinas Baseball at Scarborough Field. Justin Manning went 3-for-4 with two RBI in the game one to lead the offensive for Mount Olive.
Mount Olive (16-7 Overall, 4-0 Conference Carolinas) was able to get the first inning off with a bang. Jay Gonzales started the night off with a single into left field. DeAndre Allen came up next and was allowed to reach first safely on a fielding error by the second baseman and Gonzales moved to second. Rob Shipman followed a strikeout and continued the hits for the Trojans with a single into right field to load the bases.
Manning came through with the run breaking RBI-single through the right side that advanced Shipman to second, Gonzales to score and Allen was tagged out at the plate on the throw in from the right fielder. Luke Barry walked with two outs. Tyler Farmer brought in Shipman as he reached on a fielding error by the shortstop. Farmer and Barry advanced off a passed ball that also brought home Manning. After a Cody Britt walked, Zak Orrison cleared the bases with a three RBI-double into left field and the Trojans led 6-0.
Bradon Reitano helped add runs in the fourth and sixth both off two-run RBI-doubles to the opposite middles of the outfield which in both cases allowed Gonzales and Allen to score. Manning added another run in the sixth with a RBI-single up the middle to bring in Reitano and Mount Olive jumped out to an 11-0 cushion.
Shipman in the seventh scored two more runs against the Falcons (14-10, 5-2) as he smacked a ball back up the middle to score Allen and Gonzales.
The final Trojan run came in the eighth after Willi Martin doubled to lead off the inning and advanced to third on a groundout. Chandler Smetana grounded out but did allow Martin to score on the play.
Kodi Whitley (3-0) improved to 3-0 on the season after going six innings of shutout baseball. Whitley eliminated the side after giving up a single walk in the first and second innings. After that he sat down the next twelve batters he faced until he gave up the only hit in the sixth. Taylor Carr and Hunter Barnett came in relief of the Trojan starter and continued to pitch shutout ball only allowing three hits.
Ethan Greene (4-1) took the loss on the hill as he went five innings allowing eight runs –three earned- off seven hits and five walks.
Mount Olive returns to the diamond tomorrow to finish the three-game series with Pfeiffer as a doubleheader will be played at Scarborough Field. First pitch will be at 12 p.m. Livestats and Video will be avalible.