University of Mount Olive dropped a doubleheader 9-1, 3-1 to UNC Pembroke in the regular season finale at Nancy Chapman Cassell Field in non-conference softball in Mount Olive, N.C.
Game One: UNC Pembroke 9, Mount Olive 1
Mount Olive (28-17) got a little shell shocked in the first inning as UNC Pembroke (25-21) scored three runs to start off the game in an unusual way. Whitney Jackson led off the game with a single through the left side. Jamie Johnson reached on a fielder's choice that eliminated Jackson at second. Johnson then stole second and moved to third after Brea Hartley reached on a throwing error.
Taylor Gerhart came up and bunted a ball to the third baseman who came home to get Johnson at the plate. However, on the same play a throw-back to try and catch Hartley leaning ended up sailing into center field and allowed Hartley and Gerhart to score. Megan Hillard singled to right to continue the threat. Morgan Davis singled through the left side and moved Hillard to second. A passed ball and a wild pitch allowed Hillard to score the final run in the Braves opening frame.
The Braves added solo runs in the second and third before Mount Olive finally struck.
After a fly-out Kristin Power came up and took a first pitch fastball to dead center field and it hit off of the yellow piping for a home run and the Trojans trailed 5-1.
UNC Pembroke added four more insurance runs in the sixth to seal the win.
Madison Johnston (15-4) took the loss in the circle for Mount Olive. She went five complete innings and allowed eight runs off 11 hits.
Katie Saunders (16-13) got the win for the Braves as she went the complete game and allowed a solo run off four hits and struck out six.
Game Two: UNC Pembroke 3, Mount Olive 1
Mount Olive (28-18) started game two off on a different note as Kelsey Akers started the game off with a walk. Akers then stole second and moved to third on a passed ball. Beth Overman drew a walk and stole second. After a ground out, a wild pitch allowed the first run to come home for the Trojans. One run was all they got as the final two outs were recorded and Mount Olive had the early lead.
UNC-Pembroke (26-21) plated their first run of the game off a solo home run by Jonhson that curved around the left field foul pole and tied the game.
Neither team could scratch across a run until the Braves struck in the top of the seventh. Hillard led off with a hit by pitch to give the Braves a base runner. A sacrifice bunt moved her to second. Lexie Coxe came in to pinch hit and came up with a clutch RBI-single into left that scored Hillard from second. Coxe on the played moved to second as the Trojan left fielder misplayed the ball as it went off her glove and to the wall. Kaytee Wilson popped out into foul ground as a terrific diving catch by Power picked up the second out, however Coxe tagged and scored as the throw was too late.
Mount Olive made a threat in the bottom of the seventh as lead-off single by Russell gave the Trojans some life. The momentum was quickly thwarted as a double play too the wind right out of the sails. The Trojans managed to get another base runner but were unable to score her as a groundout ended game two.
Lauren Smith (8-7) took the loss for Mount Olive. She went the complete game and gave up three runs off six hits and struck out three.
Selena Ashley (9-6) got the win for the Braves as she went the complete game as well and allowed one run off three hits and struck out three.
Mount Olive will rest until the opening round of the Conference Carolinas Softball Tournament on Friday April, 24. Mount Olive is still awaiting a seed in the Tournament as teams are still rounding out their regular seasons.