Trojans Split Softball Doubleheader At Lenoir-Rhyne

Trojans Split Softball Doubleheader At Lenoir-Rhyne

HICKORY, N.C. – Madison Johnston tossed a two-hit shutout and survived a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the seventh as University of Mount Olive defeated Lenoir-Rhyne University 2-0 in game one of a non-conference softball doubleheader Friday at Hickory, N.C. Katie Moore went 3-for-3 and drove in both Trojan runs for the win over Lenoir-Rhyne, which was ranked as high as No. 11 in the NFCA Top 25 National Poll during the 2013 season.

The Trojans settled for a split after falling 5-1 in game two, despite outhitting the Bears 9-4.

In the opener, Johnston (1-0) held Lenoir-Rhyne hitless through the first four innings and the Bears' only two baserunners both reached on errors. Johnston got out of the fourth on a 6-3 double play triggered by Trojan shortstop Jennifer Jones. Her no-hit bid ended in the bottom of the fifth on a two-out infield single and she allowed another single with one out in the sixth.

Johnston ran into trouble in the bottom of the seventh as an error and a walk gave Lenoir-Rhyne runners on first and second. She retired the next batter on a fly out, but another walk loaded the bases. Johnston fielded a grounder for the final out to seal the win and the shutout.

Mount Olive (2-2) got all the offense it needed in the third inning when Beth Overman tripled with two outs and came home on Moore's single. Moore added an insurance run with a two-out rbi-single in the fifth.

Moore had another three-hit game in the nightcap, but the Trojans stranded 11 baserunners. Kalie Smith's rbi-bunt single in the top of the sixth brought home Hannah Woodard in with Mount Olive's lone run to prevent the shutout.

The Trojans loaded the bases with nobody out in the top of the seventh as Overman drew a leadoff walk and Moore and Savannah Becker followed with infield singles. Lenoir-Rhyne pitcher Brandi Hole (1-1) got out of the jam with her eighth strikeout and a game-ending 4-3 double play.

Lenoir-Rhyne (1-1) used Jody Mizelle's two-run homer to jump out to a 3-0 lead in the third inning and the Bears added a pair of unearned runs in the fourth.

Trojan starting pitcher Lauren Smith (0-2) tossed a complete game four-hitter and allowed only one earned run.

Mount Olive concludes its weekend road trip Saturday as the Trojans travel to Mars Hill, N.C., to take on Mars Hill College in a non-conference doubleheader. Game time is noon.