No. 13 University of Mount Olive used the long ball in game two to take a double header split on senior day 3-1, 11-7 against North Greenville University Saturday in Mount Olive, N.C. for Conference Carolinas baseball. Mount Olive hit five home runs in game two.
Game One: Mount Olive 1 North Greenville 3
Mount Olive (31-10 Overall, 17-5 Conference Carolinas) got shell shocked in the first inning. North Greenville's (23-21, 12-11) Josh Black started the game with a single through the left side. Two outs later Foley George single to second. Taylor McCuen took a 2-1 pitch over the left field wall and cleared to the bases to give the Crusaders a 3-0 lead right out of the gate.
The score remained the same as North Greenville's starting pitcher Ryne Frankoff set down the first 14 men he faced before the perfect game was taken away in the fifth when he hit Rob Shipman with a pitch and the no hitter was taken away the next batter as Brett Lang doubled past third. Mount Olive could not scratch across a run however.
The Trojans had a little bit of life in the final frame as Justin Manning crushed a lead-off home run to right field. Joe Koehler singled off the pitcher to continue the rally. Shipman was hit by a pitch to move Koehler into scoring position. The Trojans were unable to push the runs home as back-to-back strikeouts ended the seventh and Mount Olive fell in game one.
Kodi Whitley (7-3) picked up the loss as he went seven complete and surrendered three runs off nine hits and struck out three.
Ryne Frankoff (3-2) picked up the win as he went six complete giving up one run off four hits and struck out three. Adam Boghosian (11) got the save as he struck out the final three outs.
Game Two: Mount Olive 11 North Greenville 7
Jason Morozowski blasted two home runs to lead the Trojans to the win in game two.
Mount Olive (32-10, 18-5) did not allow game two to start off like game one did as North Greenville (23-22, 13-11) was held off the scoreboard in the first. The first run of the game did not come until the fourth inning as the Crusaders used a two out RBI-double by McCuen.
The Trojans responded with authority as Kilgore Gailmard started the inning off with a home run to right center and tied the game. Manning singled with one away and moved to second on a fielding error by the second baseman that allowed Koehler to reach safely. Shipman then loaded the bases with a single. Brett Lang pushed the go ahead run home with a sacrifice fly to center and Manning scored.
The fifth inning had some fireworks as Morozowski and Manning hit back-to-back two out home runs to give the Trojans a 4-1 lead.
North Greenville added a few runs in the top half of the sixth. Jae Roberts singled to start off the inning. Allen Staton drew a walk and both runners advanced into scoring position on a pass ball one out later. A walk loaded the bases for Drew Lipscomb who doubled down the left field line to score two for the Crusaders. Shaw Rolle grounded out but, scored the final run as the game tied up four.
The Trojan offense was kept silent until the seventh as Zak Orrison blasted a no doubter to left and Mount Olive took the lead. Morozowski drew a one out walk and stole second one out later. Koehler singled to right and scored Morozowski from second and the home nine led 6-4.
The final swings for Mount Olive ended with a bang as five runs came across. Bretton Gouthro started the inning off and ended up at first after he was hit by a pitch. Gailmard was hit by a pitch two outs later. Morozowski hit another monster shot this time to left center and cleared the bases on the three-run home run, his second of the game. Manning walked to continue the threat. Koehler singled Manning to third. Shipman plated another run with an RBI-single to right center. A walk to Lang led to Gouthro's second hit by pitch, however this time it scored a run and the Trojan's big inning was over.
The Crusader's did not go away quietly as the top of the ninth was far from smooth sailing. Three straight one out base hits led to two runs coming home on an RBI-single by George. Rolle added another run on a two out single up the middle. Jordy Farthing came in and got the final out and the Trojans split on senior day.
Derek Justice (7-1) picked up the win on the mound as he went eight and two thirds. He allowed seven runs off 13 hits and struck out eight.
Michael Bonifay (5-3) took the loss in relief. He allowed the go ahead runs on one hit.
Mount olive will close out the home regular season with a double header against Wingate University Tuesday night at Scarborough Field. First pitch for game one is scheduled for 4 p.m.