University of Mount Olive defeated Limestone College 10-2 in the series opener in Gaffney, S.C. in Conference Carolinas baseball. Two four-run innings in the sixth and seventh pushed Mount Olive in front for good.
Mount Olive (22-15 Overall, 14-8 Conference Carolinas) was able to break a 2-2 tie in the sixth. Bradley Ragan started the attack with a one out single to center. Derek Deler drew a walk and Ragan moved to second. Brandon Day drove in the go ahead run with an RBI-single through the left side.
A double steal was thwarted as Deler was thrown out at third, however, Day made it safely to second. Ricky Surum was walked and again runners were on first and second. Following a pitching change, Zak Orrison also was walked and the bases were loaded.
David Mayo brought home Orrison and Surum with an RBI-single to right and Mount Olive took a 6-2 lead.
Limestone (16-29, 5-17) was kept off the board in the bottom of the sixth and Mount Olive was poised to strike again in the seventh. Stephen Wallace walked to lead-off the inning for the Trojans. Joe Koehler and Ragan both followed suit with base hits through the right side of the infield. Jack Sherrill came in to pinch hit and delivered an two RBI-single and the Trojan lead moved to 8-2.
Day knocked in another run as Ragan scored on a sacrifice fly. Following a strikeout, Orrison doubled home Sherrill and Mount Olive had an eight run cushion. The deficit proved to be too much for the Saints and the Trojans took the series opener.
Mount Olive started off the game in lead as Orrison drew a lead-off walk. Orrison advanced to second on a wild pitch and moved to third after a sacrifice bunt by Mayo. Mayo was safe on the play and proceeded to steal second on the next pitch.
Wallace drove home the first run of the game with an RBI-single to left. A failed pick-off attempt to first allowed Mayo to score and Mount Olive had the early lead.
Limestone scored single runs in the third and fifth innings off RBI-base hits and tied the game at two. Mount Olive, however, exploded in the sixth and the Trojans never looked back.
Brighton Hudson (5-2) picked up the win for Mount Olive on the mound. Hudson went seven complete allowing two runs off eight hits and struck out seven. Ethan Horne came in relief and pitched the final two frames allowing just one hit and struck out one.
Mount Olive and Limestone will finish the three game series with a doubleheader Saturday at noon.