Trojans Split Midweek Doubleheader Against Saint Andrews Knights

Eileen Barrera at-bat against Wingate. (Photo by James Benson)
Eileen Barrera at-bat against Wingate. (Photo by James Benson)

MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. - The University of Mount Olive softball team split the doubleheader against the Knights of Saint Andrews University in a midweek non-conference matchup at Nancy Chapman Cassell Field in Mount Olive, N.C.

GAME ONE INFORMATION
Score: Saint Andrews 5, Mount Olive 2
Records: Mount Olive (4-7), Saint Andrews (8-5)
Location: Nancy Chapman Cassell Field | Mount Olive, N.C.

How It Happened
Play-by-Play

GAME RUNDOWN

  • Both teams played very good defensive games allowing no runs to score through the first four innings. 
  • In the top of the fifth, the Knights of Saint Andrews brought four home across the plate to take a 4-0 lead over the Trojans.
  • Saint Andrews scored a run on second after one of the Knights singled down the right-field line to go ahead 5-0.
  • With the Trojans trailing at the bottom of the seventh, UMO prepared for a rally. Summer Dickerson came in to pinch run for Alexis Hobson who reached first on a fielders choice. Kristin Power came up to bat next and singled to left field advancing Dickerson into scoring position at second base. Heather Childress came to the plate, following a successful bunt by Charlene Thompson that advanced Dickerson and Power each a base. Childress made a sacrificial ground out hit to first base as Dickerson scored on the play, while Power crossed the plate following a throwing error by the first baseman in attempts to turn a double play.
  • The game ended the next play as Callie Ferrell grounded out to short.

KEY STATS

GAME TWO INFORMATION
Score: Mount Olive 6, Saint Andrews 0
Records: Mount Olive (5-7), Saint Andrews (8-6)
Location: Nancy Chapman Cassell Field | Mount Olive, N.C.

How It Happened
Play-by-Play

GAME RUNDOWN

  • The Trojans got on the scoreboard first in the bottom of the first as Charlene Thompson ran home, after stealing second and third, following the double to left field by Heather Childress. Two plays later Childress scored on a bunt by Eileen Barrera to take a 2-0 lead into the top of the second.
  • Two scoreless innings went by before the Trojans were able to put four more runs up on the board in the bottom of the fourth. Alexis Hobson and Summer Dickerson both singled to reach the bases and moved to third and second, respectively, following the Callie Ferrell sacrifice bunt. Charlene Thompson came to the plate next and hit an inside the park home run to left-center field to score Hobson and Dickerson for three more Trojan runs. Three batters later, Anna Ingram doubled to right center which scored Heather Childress, who reached second on a failed pickoff, to give Mount Olive the 6-0 lead.
  • Mallory Ratcliff and the Trojan defense were able to hold off the Knights as UMO won the game 6-0 and Ratcliff completed her third full shutout of the season.

KEY STATS

  • Mallory Ratcliff pitched a complete one-hit shutout as she struck out six batters. The shutout is her third of the season as she pitched a 12-0, five-hit game at Chowan (2/14/18) and an 8-0 three-hit game against Wingate (2/20/18).
  • Charlene Thompson tallied three hits in four at-bats while bringing in three RBI's and crossing the plate twice for two runs of her own including an in the park home run.

NOTES
Mount Olive returns to action on Saturday, February 24 as they compete at the Mid-South Classic Tournament in Duncan, S.C. The Trojans play Carson-Newman University at 2 p.m in the first game of the day and follow with the second game against Tiffin University.