University of Mount Olive split a doubleheader to Belmont Abbey College 4-2, 6-5 including an extra inning walk-off victory in game one in Conference Carolinas Softball at Nancy Chapman Cassell Field Saturday afternoon in Mount Olive, N.C. Savannah Becker had the game-winning walk-off two run home run in the bottom of the eighth.
Game one: Mount Olive 4 Belmont Abbey 2
Mount Olive (14-13 Overall, 2-1 Conference Carolinas) got started off first in the bottom half of the first as Kelsey Akers led off with a single. Akers stole second and advanced to third on a ground out. The first run came across after a pop out as a hard hit ball deflected off the Belmont Abbey (8-19, 2-5) second baseman and allowed Akers to score and The Trojans took the early lead 1-0.
The Crusaders answered in the top half of the third as Selena Thompson got on with a double over the centerfielder. Sioane McPeak drove Thompson in with an RBI base hit back up the middle and the game was tied at one.
Belmont Abbey regained the lead after a home run by Jena Reisenauer in the top of the sixth.
The Trojans however countered as Savannah Becker doubled with one away. Kayla Allen knocked her in with a single and the game was tied once again.
Neither team was able to break the tie and forced the game to go into extra innings.
The Crusaders were retired in order in the top of the eighth and Mount Olive looked to walk off in the bottom half. Brooke Kamphuis was moved from second to third after a sacrifice bunt from Kelsey Akers. Becker delivered the big game-winning hit as she unloaded on a pitch and placed it over the left centerfield wall for the two-run walk-off home run and Mount Olive won 4-2.
Julie Hodges (5-2) got the win in relief as she pitched the last two innings and did not allow a hit. She also struck out a pair.
In between games the new Power Batting Cages were officially opened with the ribbon in front of the cages being cut by Lori and Russell Power.
Game Two: Mount Olive 5 Belmont Abbey 6
Belmont Abbey (9-19, 3-5) opened game two with some fire as after a lead-off single by Dziendziel was followed up two outs later by Reisenauer with a two run home run and the Crusaders jumped out to a 2-0 lead.
Cailtin Ewers helped her own cause as she drew a four pitch walk to lead off the third. Charlene Thompson came into run for Ewers and was moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Kamphuis. Becker then plated the first Mount Olive (14-14, 2-2) run with a double to left center and Mount Olive trailed 2-1.
Kayla Allen helped the cause as she cleared the bases with a triple into the right field corner and plated the tying and go ahead runs in Akers and Becker.
Mount Olive extended the lead in the bottom of the fourth as Kristin Power led off the inning with a single. Power was moved up to second on a sacrifice bunt and stole third as the throw to the pitcher was slow coming in and the throw was not in time.
After two straight put outs Kamphuis came up and hit a pitch back to the pitcher, but the ball slipped out of the Crusaders pitcher's hand and rolled to the fence. While the ball rolled to the wall Power took home. Akers made the score 5-2 after a double scored Kamphuis from second.
The Crusaders fought back to tie the game in the top of the fifth on the back of a three run home run by Marietta.
Belmont Abbey found the go ahead run in the top of the sixth. Dziendziel singled to right center with one away to put a runner on. Following a strikeout, McPeak singled and put runners at first and second. A third single drove home the run a Reisenauer singled down the right field line and the Crusaders led 6-5.
Mount Olive threatened in the bottom of the seventh as Allen led off with a single. Anna Ingram followed up with a rip down the left field line for a single and Allen moved up to second. Power drew a one out walk and the bases were loaded.
A double play however ended the threat of a comeback as the Trojans split the doubleheader falling in the nightcap.
Caitlin Ewers (0-6) was pinned with the loss in relief as she allowed three runs off five hits and struck out one.
Mount Olive will return to action this Tuesday as the Trojans host the Warriors of Southern Wesleyan at Nancy Chapman Cassell Field. The doubleheader is slated to begin at 1 p.m.