Jason Morozowski hit a home run in the first inning however it was not enough as the University of Mount Olive fell to Belmont Abbey College 5-3 Friday morning in an elimination game in the Conference Carolinas Baseball Tournament.
Mount Olive (35-14) came out looking to take an early lead and did so with a solo home run by Morozowski with two away. Justin Manning singled to right to continue the attack. Kilgore Gailmard also singled and moved Manning to second. Stephen Wallace singled in a run as Manning scored and the Trojans took an early 2-0 lead.
Belmont Abbey (24-21) fought back in the second. Weston Clarke singled to lead-off the inning. He ended up third after a wild pitch and a groundout. Levi Wright doubled Clarke in for the Crusaders first run of the game. Conoro Kwalwasser singled home another run and tied the game.
The Crusaders took the lead in the third off an RBI-groundout by Clark and an RBI-single by Armen Calilao. Anthony Dimino added another run in the fourth with an RBI-double.
Mount Olive down 5-2 took a run back in the seventh. Brett Lang got on with a one out double down the left field line. One out later Zak Orrison doubled down the left field line as well and Lang scored. The Trojans were not allowed a single base runner for the rest of the game as the Crusaders pitching staff retired the last six batters in order.
Kodi Whitley (8-4) took the loss as he went four and two thirds allowing five runs off 10 hits and struck out three.
Harry Ferguson (6-7) picked up the complete game win as he allowed three runs off seven hits and struck out five.
Mount Olive still has a chance at reaching the NCAA Southeast Regional, however the teams have yet to be decided. Please check www.umotrojans.com for any updates.