Lauren McGrath hit a two-run home run in game two, but the University of Mount Olive fell against Lenoir-Rhyne University 8-3 and 5-3 in game two of a non-conference doubleheader at Nancy Chapman Cassell Field Saturday afternoon in Mount Olive, N.C. Game one went into extra innings and finished in nine after the Trojans were unable to recover from a five run spot put up by the Bears.
Game One: Lenoir-Rhyne 8 Mount Olive 3
In game one, Mount Olive (6-7) and Lenoir-Rhyne (11-0) were in a pitching and defensive duel. After the Bears struck for two hits in the second the next 15 batters were retired in order as neither team plated a run until the fifth.
Savannah Becker reached on a fielding error by the Lenoir-Rhyne third baseman to lead off the fifth inning. Jazmin Montgomery used a sacrifice bunt to move Becker to second. Kristen Power then reached on a fielder's choice as the throw to try and get Becker at third was too late and Mount Olive had runners at the corners with one away. Lindsey Russell pinched hit for Anna Ingram and after Power stole second she drove home the first run of the game as a fly ball was deep enough to score Becker.
Lenoir-Rhyne answered in the seventh Brittany Coursen singled to lead off the inning and was moved over on a sacrifice bunt from Sarah Kenly. Dakota Keller with two away tied the ball game up and she snuck a ball past the right side of the infield and Coursen scored from second.
Mount Olive was unable to get the winning run in the bottom of the seventh so extra innings were needed.
In the top of the eighth Christina Walker was the runner at second and she moved up to third on a groundout to lead off the inning. Madison Poe brought in Walker with a sacrifice fly to center and the Bears took the 2-1 lead.
The Trojans in the bottom half started the inning off with a bunt single from Taylor Carter as she beat out the throw and there were runners on the corners. Carter then stole second and a walk to Beth Overman loaded the bases. Tiffany Hawley reached on a fielder's choice as she beat out the backside play and McGrath tied the game as she scored.
The Bears came out in the ninth firing on all cylinders as a lead-off double by Ashley Oliver scored Shelby Narmore from second. A sacrifice bunt moved Oliver to third. After a walk to Kenly Jordin Phillips flied out to right and plated Oliver on the sacrifice. Keller followed up with a double to center and scored another run for Lenoir-Rhyne. Walker singled and drove Keller in and the Bears were up 6-2.
Lenoir-Rhyne was not done as after a Trojan pitching change Miller doubled into left and another run came in. the final run was scored off a Poe single and Miller was run number six in the inning for the Bears who led 8-2 going into the bottom of the ninth.
Becker who started at third was moved up to third on a sacrifice fly by Montgomery. Power brought Becker in on a single to left. Ingram followed with another single to push Power to second. Mount Olive was able to move the runners to second and third but could not push across anymore runs and fell in extra innings.
Madison Johnston (4-3) picked up the loss after throwing eight and two thirds allowing seven runs off seven hits and striking out six.
Brandi Hole (6-0) went the distance picking up the complete game win. Hole allowed three runs off four hits and struck out eight
Game Two Lenoir-Rhyne 5 Mount Olive 3
In game two, Lenoir-Rhyne continued to swing the bats hot. In the first four straight one out singles scored three runs for the Bears.
Mount Olive (6-8) answered with a run in the bottom half off a Russell groundout that scored Carter.
The Trojans added two runs in the fourth. The runs came off a 2-2 pitch that McGrath took over the left center field wall for a two-run home run.
Lenoir-Rhyne (12-0) retook the lead for good after a lead-off home run and a ground out pushed the Bears out 5-3. The Trojans were able to get a runner on in the bottom of the seventh but could not comeback as they fell in game two.
Lauren Smith (2-5) picked up the loss. Smith threw five complete allowing five runs off nine hits and struck out five.
Maryann Hoskins (6-0) went all seven and gave up three runs off seven hits and struck out six.
Mount Olive will hit the road next weekend as the Trojans will head down to Spartanburg, S.C. to play in the Mid-South Tournament on Friday.