Posted: Apr 27, 2019
TIGERVILLE, S.C. --- No. 3 seeded University of Mount Olive Trojans took down the No. 5 seed Belmont Abbey College Crusaders 4-3 in extra innings to stave off elimination in game nine of the Conference Carolinas Baseball Championship Tournament Saturday night.
GAME INFORMATION
Score:
Mount Olive 4, Belmont Abbey 3
Records: Mount Olive (31-14) Belmont Abbey (26-24)
Location: Ashmore Park, Tigerville, S.C.
How It Happened
Play-by-Play
GAME RUNDOWN
- Mount Olive had a chance to score in the top of the first after a one-out triple by Joe Mason but the Trojans were unable to push Mason home and saw Belmont Abbey take the lead in the bottom half.
- A two-out two run home run down the left field line boosted BAC's momentum as the Crusaders took the 2-0 lead after one.
- In a game that did not see a lot of offense another home run by Belmont Abbey helped increase the lead to three after the third.
- It was not until the fourth inning that Mount Olive was able to answer. Junior Snow led off the inning with a hit by pitch and James Smibert followed with a single down the right field line.
- Nate Estes drove in the first run on a fielder's choice as an errant throw allowed Snow to come in and the BAC lead was cut to two.
- The scoring for both teams stalled for the next four innings until Mason was able to find a pitch and lift it over the wall for a solo home run in the top of the eighth and the Trojans trailed 3-2.
- Another key hit was needed for Mount Olive to keep the game alive and they got just that from Zack Smith as he tied the game up with a home run to right.
- The Trojans held the Crusaders off the board in the bottom of the ninth and for the game into extra innings.
- After a scoreless 10th inning, Estes led off the top of the 11th with a single and Smith moved him to second with a sacrifice bunt.
- Aaron Hedgepeth came up with the biggest hit of the game as he found a hole on the right side of the infield and Estes touched home plate to give UMO the 4-3 lead.
- Mount Olive was able to keep Belmont Abbey from getting a base runner on in the bottom of the 11th and the Trojans were able to stay alive and move onto the championship game.
KEY STATS
- Jake Isbell (3-1) got the win in relief as he pitched the final two and two-thirds not allowing a hit and struck out three Crusaders.
- Aaron Hedgepeth led the team with his eventual walk-off RBI-single in the top of the 11th in his only at-bat of the game.
Up Next
Mount Olive advances into the championship game tomorrow Sunday, April 28 against North Greenville, in which the Trojans will have to beat twice to claim the Conference Carolinas Championship. First pitch will be at 1 p.m. in Tigerville.