MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. --- University of Mount Olive took a doubleheader from Erskine College in route to sweeping the three-game series at Scarborough Field on Saturday afternoon in Mount Olive, N.C.
GAME INFORMATION
Score:
Game 1: Mount Olive 7, Erskine 4
Game 2: Mount Olive 5, Erskine 1
Records: Mount Olive (25-8-1, 13-2 CC) Erskine (23-13, 8-7 CC)
Location: Scarborough Field, Mount Olive, N.C.
How It Happened
Game 1: Play-by-Play
Game 2: Play-by-Play
GAME ONE
- Mount Olive had to battle from behind early as the Flying Fleet took a 3-0 lead off a home run in the top of the first as Erskine took the momentum early.
- Gunner Tolston scored a run in the bottom of the first on a broken double play attempt by Erskine and a second Trojan runner scored from second to bring the Mount Olive deficit down to 3-2.
- Erskine added a single run in the top of the second on an RBI-double and went ahead by two.
- Tolston again made his presence known with a sacrifice fly RBI that scored Drew Ellis in the bottom of the third and a James Smibert two RBI-double gave UMO its first lead of the game 5-4.
- UMO added two more insurance runs in the bottom of the fifth and Jose Lopez and Tolston both scored on a wild pitch.
- Erskine did, however, make it interesting in the top of the seventh as the Flying Fleet loaded the bases with one away following a walk, a ground-rule double and a second walk.
- Trojan closer Zach Vennaro was called in to close the game out and he did just that striking out the first batter he faced and getting the second to fly out securing the win for Mount Olive.
KEY STATS GAME 1
- German Reyes (5-0) got the win on the mound as he allowed four runs off four hits, and struck out 10 over his six and a third innings of work.
- Zach Vennaro (Sv: 7) came in to close out the game and picked up the save, striking out one in his two-thirds of an inning pitched.
- James Smibert led the team going 2-for-3 with two RBI.
GAME TWO
- Game two started with the Trojans becoming the attackers as Nate Estes singled up the middle scoring Trae Sweeting, who singled and then stole second, and UMO took an early 1-0 lead after the first.
- Estes came up clutch again as a two-RBI double to straight-away center scored two Trojans and extended the Mount Olive lead.
- Ellis added another run in the seventh on an RBI-single through the right side that scored Sweeting and moved the lead by UMO to 4-0.
- Erskine prevented the shutout with a solo home run in the top of the eighth.
- Mount Olive answered with a Smibert RBI-single in the bottom half and the Trojans led 5-1.
- The services of Trojan closer Zach Vennaro would be called on again in the top of the ninth as the Flying Fleet were able to load the bases once again as the did in game one this time however on a walk and two infield singles all with two away.
- Vennaro came in from the bullpen once again and got the final out of the game on a 6-3 groundout and record his second save of the day and Mount Olive swept the series from Erskine.
KEY STATS GAME 2
- Braxton Shetley (4-0) picked up the win on the mound in game two as he allowed six hits, two walks, and struck out six in his seven innings of work.
- Zach Vennaro (Sv: 8) came in to close out the game and recorded his second save of the afternoon
- Nate Estes led the Trojans in game two as he went 2-for-5 with three RBI.
Up Next
Mount Olive will compete next against the Class A Affiliate of the Texas Rangers the Down East Wood Ducks on April 2 in Grainger Stadium in Kinston, N.C. at 7:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased here. Live video coverage will be provided by the Trojans Sports Network with a tentative air time of 6:45 p.m.