University of Mount Olive picked up a doubleheader sweep of Lees-McRae College 5-1, 5-3 in Conference Carolinas softball Sunday afternoon from Banner Elk, N.C. Trojans score five runs in each game to push pass the Bobcats.
Game One: Mount Olive-5 Lees-McRae-3
Mount Olive (22-15 Overall, 8-3 Conference Carolinas) took the lead from the start in the top of the fifth. Savannah Becker picked up a one out double and moved to third on a groundout. Anna Ingram plated the first run of the game with a RBI-single up the middle.
Lees-McRae (6-23, 2-5) responded back in the bottom of the second. Sarah Tucker drew a lead-off walk to start off the inning. Two straight singles loaded the bases for the Bobcats. A fielder's choice to home eliminated the threat for a run to score for the time being for Lees-McRae. Sarah Beth Ashley singled down the left field line and scored a run as the runner from third was thrown out at the plate. On the play Emily Merriam who was on second, was allowed to score after the first runner was thrown out at the plate and the game was tied at one.
Noel Cassidy for Lees-McRae gave the Bobcats the lead with a solo home run in the fourth.
The Trojans bounced back to tie the game in the sixth on an RBI-single by Caitlin Ewers.
Mount Olive put away the Bobcats in the top of the seventh.
Becker put Mount Olive in front with a solo home run to left and the Trojans led 4-3. Kayla Allen singled down the left field line to continue the attack. Ingram came up and knocked in another run on an RBI-double to left. Jazmin Montgomery pushed home the final run on an RBI-single to right center and Mount Olive led by two.
The Bobcats picked up two hits in the inning but that was all they managed as Mount Olive closed the door to take game one.
Madison Johnston (13-6) picked up the complete game win as she allowed three runs off 10 hits and struck out four.
Game Two: Mount Olive-5 Lees-McRae-1
Mount Olive (23-16, 9-3) stayed quiet in game two until the fourth inning. Ingram doubled to lead off the inning. Kristin Power drove Ingram home with an RBI-single past second. The Trojans only managed one run but had the lead heading into the fifth.
The Trojans continued to push ahead in the fifth. Ewers doubled to lead off the inning. Charlene Thompson came in to run for Ewers and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt. Akers scored Thompson with a sacrifice fly to center. Becker continued to hit well as she picked up another base hit with a double to right center with two away. Kayla Allen singled through the left side and scored Becker from second and Mount Olive led 3-0
Two runs scored for Mount Olive in the top of the seventh on a fielding error by Lees-McRae (6-24, 2-6) and the cushion moved up to five runs.
Lees-McRae did however pick up a run in the bottom of the seventh off an error by the Trojans. Kolleen Springs and Ashley both singled to lead off the inning for the Bobcats. Following a strikeout, Kara Cunningham reached on a fielder's choice. The throw to second was off line and allowed Spears to score from second.
Mount Olive buckled down and registered the final two outs of the game and took game two and the sweep from the Bobcats.
Caitlin Ewers (2-5) picked up the win as she went six complete allowing one run off eight hits.
Mount Olive will host North Greenville Saturday April 9 at Nancy Chapman Cassell Field. Saturday will also be senior day for Savannah Becker, Madison Johnston, Jazmin Montgomery, Kelsey Akers, and Shy'Lia Buie. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.