Posted: Apr 13, 2018
MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. --- University of Mount Olive baseball won a gut-wrenching extra-innings walk-off Conference Carolinas series opener against the Tornado of King University 6-5 on Friday evening at Scarborough Field in Mount Olive, N.C.
GAME INFORMATION
Score: Mount Olive 6, King 5
Records: Mount Olive (27-11-1, 15-4 CC) King (24-14, 10-10 CC)
Location: Scarborough Field, Mount Olive, N.C.
How It Happened
Play-by-Play
GAME RUNDOWN
- Mount Olive came out attacking as Jose Lopez scored the game's first run on an RBI-single through the right side that scored Trae Sweeting. Justin Carroll then added another run on a fielder's choice that scored Lopez and UMO led 2-0.
- King did, however, score a single run in the top of the third to draw to within one.
- Gunner Tolston took the one run back with a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth and Mount Olive took a 3-1 lead.
- After the Trojans added a single run in the sixth, King found a big blow as a three-run home run to left tied the game at four.
- Mount Olive was able to get two runners on in the ninth but was unable to find the winning run and free baseball was in the cards for the fans at Scarborough Field.
- A scoreless 10th inning set up an emotional 11th as King took advantage of a UMO fielding error that allowed the lead-off batter to reach second.
- The Tornado then with two away in the inning found space down the right field line and scored the go-ahead run and took a 5-4 lead heading into the bottom of the 11th.
- Jon Cosme came into lead-off the inning an instantly drew a walk but was then eliminated on a fielder's choice as Trae Sweeting beat out the backside throw to avoid a double play.
- Lopez came through again with another base hit that moved Sweeting to second. Drew Ellis then worked out a five-pitch walk to load the bases for Nate Estes.
- Estes battled and took the sixth pitch of his at-bat for a ball and walked in the tying run for the Trojans and the game was knotted at five.
- Justin Carroll came up and down in the count 0-2 drove a pitch to right center and Lopez walked home as the Trojans erupted from the dugout claiming the 6-5 series-opening win from King.
KEY STATS
- Zach Vennaro (5-1) got the win for Mount Olive in relief as he came in to pitch the final three innings allowing one run off one hit and he struck out seven.
- Justin Carroll and Gunner Tolston both led the Trojans with two-RBI performances from the plate.
Up Next
The Trojans will return to Scarborough Field to wrap up the series with a doubleheader against King University tomorrow as it will be senior day as well as Piggly Wiggly Day at the ballpark. First pitch is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. Saturday