University of Mount Olive split a doubleheader against Wingate University 11-8 , 11-3 Tuesday night in non-conference baseball in Wingate, N.C. Derek Deler hit two home runs in the 11-8 loss in game one.
Game One: Mount Olive-8 Wingate-11
Mount Olive (13-11) had a runner in scoring position at third in the top of the first but were unable to bring in the game's first run and went into the bottom half of the inning. Wingate (19-10) wasted no time putting runs on the board as a lead-off single by Shane Billings was followed by a two run home run by Bill Krebs to right field and the Bulldogs took the early lead.
The Trojans were able to plate a run in the second on a David Mayo RBI-single to scored Deler who had gotten on with an one out single.
A sacrifice fly gave Wingate the two run cushion again heading into a score third inning for both team.
In the top of the fourth Brett Lang led off the inning with a single into left. He was followed with a single by Joe Koehler. Deler came up to the plate with one away and instantly gave the Trojans the 4-3 lead. After a Mayo single, Duke hill drove home the inning's fourth run and Mount Olive held their own two run lead.
Wingate however to not stop fighting as a huge fifth inning help put the Bulldogs back on top. Austin Turgeon hammered a three run home run five batter's into the inning. He was followed shortly by back-to-back RBI-singles by Patrick Watson and Matther Grecco and the Bulldogs led 8-5.
Mount Olive fought back to tie the game in the top of the sixth. After Stephen Wallace drew a lead-off walk Deler connected for his second home run of the day and the Trojans trailed by one run.Ricky Surum brought in Mayo who had reached base on a walk and the base hit tied the game up at eight.
The home nine answered back with three runs of their own in the bottom of the sixth with the runs coming home on three different kinds of plays. The first came in on an RBI-single to left, the second on a fielder's choice, and the third on a wild pitch.
Mount Olive in their final at bats were able to make some noise as Lang reach safely with a one our base hit through the left side of the infield. Koehler drew a walk and the tying run came up to the plate. However the Bulldog pitching staff held onto the lead and the Trojans fell in game one.
Trey Pate (1-1) was pinned with the loss for Mount Olive in relief as he threw just two thirds of an inning and allowed three runs off two hits.
Game Two: Mount Olive-11 Wingate-3
Mount Olive (14-11) in game two utilized an eight run fifth inning to draw a doubleheader split with Wingate (19-11). The Trojans came out hot in the top of the first.
Jack Sherrill picked up a one out single to give the Trojans a base runner. Sherrill stole second on a strikeout to the next batter and was driven home by an RBI-single from Deler. Wallace took some of the Deler long ball power to clear the bases with a home run to straight away center field and Mount Olive took the 3-0 lead.
Wingate tied the game up after the Bulldogs scored two runs in the third and a single run in the fourth.
However the comeback would be halted as the Trojans erupted for a big top half of the fifth. Sherrill drew a one out walk and took third on a double by Koehler. Deler walked to load the bases and Wallace brought in the first run of the inning with an RBI-single to center as the bases remained loaded. A fielding error allowed another run to come home and the Trojans led 5-3.
Hill singled home another run and the bases continued to be loaded with only one out. Following a pitching change Lang came in to pinch hit for Ben Connor and picked up an RBI by drawing the bases loaded walk. A wild pitch allowed Mayo to score and bring the lead up to 8-3.
Two more runs came home in the inning off a fielder's choice and a fielding error by the Bulldogs and Mount Olive built an eight run lead.
The Trojan pitching staff held Wingate without a hit for the remainder of the game and split the short two game series.
Josh Flott (2-2) picked up the win on the hill for Mount Olive. Flott went six complete allowing three runs, two earned, off six hits and struck out four.
Mount Olive will return to Scarborough Field for a three game Conference Carolinas series with Erskine. The Friday doubleheader if set for a 3 p.m. first pitch start, followed by a series finale game Saturday scheduled for noon.