Posted: Apr 27, 2018
MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. --- No. 25 University of Mount Olive baseball stayed alive in its first elimination game of the Conference Carolinas Baseball Championship Tournament defeating the Saints of Limestone College 4-1 on Friday morning in Elon, N.C. The game site was moved due to unplayable conditions at Burlington Athletic Stadium and was moved to Elon University.
GAME INFORMATION
Score: Mount Olive 4, Limestone 1
Records: Mount Olive (34-13-1) Limestone (29-20)
Location: Latham Park, Elon, N.C.
How It Happened
Play-by-Play
GAME RUNDOWN
- The first elimination game of the tournament started off as a pitcher's duel as neither team could scratch across a run for the first three innings.
- Mount Olive started off the fourth with a bit of a spark as Nate Estes worked out a walk and eventually ended up on third after stealing both bases two batters later.
- Drew Ellis did not allow Estes' work on the basepaths to go unrewarded as the senior doubled into right field scoring UMO's first run.
- Blake McLean followed right behind Ellis and connected for a double of his own to left center and Ellis motored home to give Mount Olive a 2-0 lead.
- After a scoreless bottom of the fourth, the Trojans got back to work in the top of the fifth as Jordan Huntley drew a lead-off walk.
- Chris Douglass then drew a one-out walk to move Huntley into scoring position at second.
- Trae Sweeting came up with another key RBI-single for UMO as his base knock up the middle scored Huntley to extend the lead to three.
- Limestone was able to add a run in the bottom half off an RBI-single down the left field line and drew closer 3-1 after five complete.
- The ballgame went into another scoring drought after the fifth as three more innings would elapse before another run came across to score.
- Huntley came up with one away in the top of the ninth looking to add a little insurance for Mount Olive and helped the cause by reaching second with a base hit to right center. Jon Cosme then came in to run for Huntley.
- James Smibert was then walked by the Saints pitcher and a double steal was successful setting up a possible RBI chance for Douglass.
- Douglass did his job pushing a bunt up the first base line allowing Cosme to score on the sacrifice and UMO went up 4-1.
- Limestone was able to get a base runner on in the bottom of the ninth but Mount Olive closer Zach Vennaro slammed the door and Mount Olive advanced to play another game in the Conference Carolinas Baseball Championship Tournament.
KEY STATS
- German Reyes (7-1) got the win for Mount Olive as he allowed one run off four hits and struck out seven over his seven innings of work.
- Zach Vennaro (SV:11) came in for the final two innings and got the save allowing just one hit while striking out two.
- Chris Douglass led the Trojans with a 2-for-2 one RBI performance from the plate.
Up Next
The Trojans remain the losers bracket and will face the loser of the Belmont Abbey/King matchup, scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, in an elimination game Saturday, April 28 at 3 p.m.