University of Mount Olive took a doubleheader from King University 8-5, 12-2 in Bristol, Tenn. in Conference Carolinas softball Saturday afternoon. Trojans take game two by the mercy rule after a seven run outburst in the top of the sixth.
Game One: Mount Olive-8 King-5
Mount Olive (20-15 Overall, 6-3 Conference Carolinas) took the opening salvo as Kelsey Akers drew a lead-off walk. Following another walk to Savannah Becker, Kayla Allen moved both runners up on a sacrifice bunt. Anna Ingram drove in the game's first run with a sacrifice fly to right center and Akers came home.
Callie Ferrell added another run for Mount Olive in the second on a sacrifice fly.
The Trojans broke the game open in the fourth as four runs came home. Kristin Power reached on an two out error by King (10-21, 5-6). Ferrell singled into left center and a throwing error by the Tornado centerfielder allowed Power to score the first run of the inning. Caitlin Ewers drew a walk and then stole second. Charlene Thompson singled past short and drove in Ferrell.
Another error allowed two runs to come home as Kelsey Akers put a ball into play but an off throw from the shortstop allowed Ewers and Thompson to score.
King fought back in the bottom half of the fourth. Three RBI-singles by Hannah Smith, Morgan Lowe, and Amber Walker scored one run apiece and the Tornado trailed 6-3.
Mount Olive added solo runs in the fifth and sixth innings to expand their lead. King however tried to comeback in the sixth. An RBI-single by Amber Walker brought one run in. A Trojan fielding error allowed another run to score, but Mount Olive was able to stop the bleeding as a strikeout ended the threat in the sixth.
The Trojans were able to hold off King in the bottom of the seventh despite allowing two hits and took game one.
Madison Johnston (12-6) picked up the win for the Trojans in the circle as she allowed five runs, three earned, off 10 hits and struck out two. Julie Hodges was credited with her first save of the season as she pitched the final frame allowing just one hit and struck out one batter.
Game Two: Mount Olive-12 King-2
Mount Olive (21-15, 7-3) kept the bats swinging in game two as the Trojans scored the opening run in the top of the first. Power and Akers added two more runs in the second off an RBI-single and a delay steal of home.
King (10-22, 5-7) climbed back in the bottom of the fourth. After Olivia Lawson was hit by a pitch, Alliyah Sands picked up an RBI-double to center. Lauren Smith singled to center for the second and final run that the Tornado picked up in the game.
The top of the sixth proved to be the final blow as the Trojans looked to finish off the Tornado. Ewers drew a one out walk. Reagan Anderson came in to run for Ewers and moved to second on a wild pitch. Thompson came in to pinch hit and also drew a walk. Both runners stole a base and following a strikeout Becker plated two runs as Thompson and Anderson scored.
Allen reached on a throwing error and another run came in as Becker scored on the error. Ingram singled through the left side and Allen scored. Jazmin Montgomery singled through the left side and moved Ingram to second as the hits continued to come.
Power doubled home Ingram and the Trojans led 11-2. Ferrell came up and placed a pitch into left. Power and Montgomery scored on the play and Mount Olive looked to win by the mercy rule if they could hold of King in the bottom of the sixth.
King was able to put two runners on with a dropped pop fly to lead off the inning and a single by Sands to left center. After a fly out, Kelsey Nave singled to left center and the bases were loaded. Mount Olive, however shut down the Tornado as back-to-back strikeouts ended the inning and the game was over via the mercy rule.
Julie Hodges (7-4) following her game one save, picked up the win in game two as she went the final two and a third. She allowed just three hits and struck out three.
Mount Olive remains on the road as the Trojans will head down to Banner Elk, N.C. tomorrow afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.