The nationally 30th-ranked University of Mount Olive used the long ball in game two of the doubleheader with home runs by Justin Manning and Chase Edwards as the Trojans defeated Erskine College 5-2 and 5-3 at Scarborough Field Saturday afternoon in Conference Carolinas Baseball in Mount Olive N.C. Edwards in also went 2-for-3 with a run scored in the Trojans game one win.
Game One Mount Olive 5 Erskine 3:
A bases clearing double by Luke Barry allowed the Trojans to take the lead back from Erskine College in the sixth as the big inning was enough to hold off the Flying Fleet in game one of the Saturday afternoon doubleheader.
Mount Olive (18-11 Overall, 6-2 Conference Carolinas) got on the board first in the bottom of the first. Jay Gonzales reached base on a fielding error by the second baseman and then stole second after a groundout. Bradon Reitano worked on a one out walk, then Willi Martin singled into right center with two outs and brought in Gonzales.
In the third Gonzales got on with the lead-off single through the right side and was sacrificed to second by DeAndre Allen on the bunt. Reitano walked for the second time and was followed behind by Martin one out later with another walk and the bases were loaded. Bretton Gouthro reached on a throwing error by the second baseman which allowed Gonzales to score and Reitano tried to score as well coming around from second but was thrown out on the play at the plate and Mount Olive only added one and led 2-0.
Erskine's (19-6, 7-1) only runs of the game came in the fourth. Logan Galliher hit a one out single down the left field line to get the Flying Fleet a base runner. Destin Nichols doubled Galliher home as his shot landed in left center. A fly out later by Joey Wilson claimed the second double of the inning to drive in Nichols from second and the game was tied at two.
The big blow of the game came in the Trojan half of the sixth. Edwards singled through the left side to start off the inning. Cody Britt walked and Zak Orrison attempted to sacrifice both the runners over but was able to beat the throw for a single and the bases were loaded for the home nine. Barry pinched hit for Allen and cleared the bases with an off the bench double to right center and Orrison, Britt, and Edwards came in.
Derek Justice (4-1) picked up win number four on the season as he went the distance allowing two runs off eight hits and added three strikeouts for the complete game victory.
Nic Levy (2-1) picked up the loss as went five innings allowing four runs off five hits a strikeout and five walks.
Game Two Mount Olive 5 Erskine 3:
Solo home runs in the seventh and eight by Manning and Edwards propelled the Mount Olive Trojans to a doubleheader sweep in game two. Gonzales also went 3-for-4 with an RBI for the home nine.
Erskine (19-7, 7-2) had the opening salvo in the second as back to back doubles brought home the lead-off hitter in Galliher with the RBI coming off the bat of Wilson.
However, the Trojans (19-11, 7-2) responded with two in the third. Gonzales reached safely as he poked a ball past the shortstop with one out to get UMO rolling. Gonzales stole second on the strikeout to the following batter and Reitano drove him home with an RBI-double to right center. Manning followed suit with a RBI-single up the middle and Reitano scored.
A solo shot by Wilson tied the game up for Erskine as he drove a pitch over the right center field wall that hit the scoreboard.
Mount Olive did not let the score stand as they came back in the bottom half. Edwards was hit by a pitch and took third on a single into left field by Britt. After a caught stealing at second and a groundout Gonzales came up with an RBI-single to left field that allowed Edwards to touch home plate and put Mount Olive up 3-2.
The Flying Fleet tied the game up again in the seventh as a sacrifice fly by Tanner Lollis brought home Brandon Overstreet.
In the seventh Manning came up with two out against the Trojans and put a drive into a pitch and cleared the right center field scoreboard to put Mount Olive back on top for good.
Finally in the eighth Edwards with one out put a charge into a ball that went over the left field fence clearing with plenty of distance and secured the Trojan win.
After a back and forth game, Gunnar Kines (5-1) picked up his fifth win of the campaign. Kines went seven and a third giving up three runs off ten hits and struck out four. Zach Bernard (3) came in for the save giving up just two hits and punching out three off one and two thirds innings of work.
JR Black (4-1) suffered his first loss of the year as he went three and two thirds innings in relief giving up two runs off two hits and added four strikeouts.
Mount Olive returns to Scarborough Field with a scheduled single game two day series against the visiting Hawks of Chowan University. However with weather in the forecast the games have the chance to be moved to a doubleheader Wednesday. First pitch for Tuesday's game is set for 6 p.m. and Wednesday at 4 p.m.