Tiffany Hawley homered in game one, however it was not enough as the University of Mount Olive dropped a doubleheader to Erskine College 5-4, 3-0 in Conference Carolinas Softball at Nancy Chapman Cassell Field in Mount Olive, N.C. Kelsey Akers also went 3-for-4 in game one to help the Trojans.
Game one Erskine 5 Mount Olive 4:
Mount Olive (9-18 Overall, 0-1 Conference Carolinas) got on the board first in the bottom of the second with a solo shot from Tiffany Hawley.
The Trojans continued their threat in the third as Erin Brogan led off with a double to left center. After Savannah Becker was walked Kelsey Akers singled to left field to load the bases. Ashleigh Mason singled past the pitcher to bring in Brogan. Beth Overman brought in the second run of the inning with one out sacrifice fly to center as Akers scored.
Erskine (7-12, 2-3) responded in the fifth and tied the game. Christine Long started with a double into right center. Whitney Brown sacrifice bunted Long to second. Jaquie Hill drew a two walk to set up Lydia Trexler who took a two pitch over the left centerfield wall for a three-run home run.
Mount Olive started the sixth off with Kalie Smith's one out single up the middle. Brogan's two out single to left field put a runner in scoring position. Savannah Becker followed Brogan with a single into center field and brought home Kalie Smith who pinched ran for Hawley.
The Trojans were able to get the tying run to the plate in the seventh but could not bring them in and took to 5-4 loss to Erskine.
Madison Johnston (4-6) picked up the loss in the circle for the Trojans as she went four and two thirds innings allowing five runs off six hits.
Danica Newton (3-6) got the win for Erskine as she went five and two thirds giving up four runs off nine hits and struck out three.
Game two Erskine 3 Mount Olive 0:
Mount Olive was not able to overcome a three run deficit as they dropped the 3-0 loss in game two. Ashleigh Mason went 2-for-4 to lead the Trojans offensively.
Ashlyn Hicks started off the second inning for Erskine with a single down the left field line. Hicks was moved to second on a groundout and Kaitlyn Kerley drove in the opening run with a two out single past the first baseman.
The Flying Fleet scored their final runs of the game in the fifth. Brown led off the inning with a double down the right field line. A second straight double by Erika McCarson brought in Brown. Hill moved McCarson to second with a sacrifice bunt and McCarson took third on the throw to first. Trexler hit the third double of the game and brought in the final run of the inning with McCarson.
Lauren Smith (2-7) took the loss for the Trojans in game two giving up three runs off seven hits. Caitlin Ewers came in relief and pitched two and two thirds innings of shutout ball.
Candace Fitch (2-3) got the win as she went the complete game giving up seven hits and struck out five.
Mount Olive returns to action this Friday as they Host Conference Carolinas opponent in North Greenville in a doubleheader. Fitch pitch is set for 4 p.m.