MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. - The University of Mount Olive softball team split the doubleheader against the Golden Eagles of the University of Charleston in a Friday non-conference matchup at Nancy Chapman Cassell Field in Mount Olive, N.C.
GAME ONE INFORMATION
Score: Mount Olive 13, University of Charleston 5
Records: Mount Olive (6-11), University of Charleston (4-3)
Location: Nancy Chapman Cassell Field | Mount Olive, N.C.
How It Happened
Play-by-Play
GAME RUNDOWN
- The Trojans bats were hot in the bottom of the first as the home team brought seven runners across home plate. Charlene Thompson, who reached on a bunt, scored the first run after Kayla Allen tripled through the left side. Three batters later, Eileen Barrera came to the plate with bases loaded as she grounded out, which scored Allen and advanced Heather Childress and Alexis Hobson to third and second respectively.
- Bases again were loaded as Summer Dickerson came to plate and she recorded an RBI after reaching first on a fielders choice to advance each runner a base that happened to score Childress. Kristin Power was next up to bat with bases still loaded and she reached first on an error by the pitcher which in turn scored Hobson.
- After Callie Ferrell struck out and the Trojans cycled through to the top of the line-up, Alexis Oliver scored while Dickerson and Power advanced a base following a wild pitch. Thompson walked to load the bases again, which brought Allen back to the plate who then cranked a double to left center field scoring Dickerson and Power and advancing Thompson to third.
- With runners in scoring position, Childres made her second plate appearance of the half inning and struck out looking to end the seven-run first inning for the Trojans.
- The Golden Eagles' bats took their turn getting hot as the visitors for Charleston, W.Va., brought in four runners to trail by three runs, 7-4, heading into the bottom second. UC's leadoff hitter cranked a home run to right center field to get the scoring going.
- After a scoreless bottom second and top third, the Trojan bats got warm again as UMO scored two more runs to take a 9-4 lead. Hobson came to the plate with Thompson and Allen on third and second, respectively, and she knocked a double into right-center field that scored both runners on base.
- In the bottom of the fourth, Dickerson crossed the plate again after running home from second base following the Allen single up the middle to take a 10-4 lead over the University of Charleston.
- A double to center field by the Golden Eagles scored a run closing the gap ever so slightly as they trailed 10-5.
- Mikayla Koch scored in the bottom fifth after coming in to pinch run for Barrera who singled up the middle. Koch was batted in by Power who hit a single through the right side as the Trojans took an 11-5 lead.
- A three-up-three-down top of the sixth brought the Trojans back up to bat as Allen and Childress scored the final two runs for the Trojans to take an eight-run lead which concluded the game in six innings due to college softball mercy rules.
KEY STATS
- Kayla Allen led the way for the Trojans' scoring party with three runs on three hits and three at-bats while also batting in four runners.
- Charlene Thompson, Heather Childress, and Summer Dickerson all crossed the plate twice while the latter two each recorded an RBI.
- Mallory Ratcliff (5-3) earned the win coming in in the third inning to relieve Kylie Ward who pitched the first two innings giving up five hits, four runs, including the homer, and a walk.
GAME TWO INFORMATION
Score: University of Charleston 2, Mount Olive 0
Records: Mount Olive (6-12), University of Charleston (5-3)
Location: Nancy Chapman Cassell Field | Mount Olive, N.C.
How It Happened
Play-by-Play
GAME RUNDOWN
- The Golden Eagles scored a run in the top of the first as the runner on second scored off a single down the left field line to take a 1-0 lead.
- The University of Charleston scored their only other run in the top of the second as the leadoff batter doubled and was later batted in on a single through the left side.
- Both squads played fantastic defense keeping the teams from scoring the remainder of the game.
- Emily Chassion (0-4) pitched a full game taking the loss on two runs, nine hits with three walked batters and three strikeouts.
NOTES
Mount Olive returns to action on next weekend when they head to Cary, N.C., to participate in the Shaw Challenge. Over the course of three days the Trojans will play five games including contests against opponents such as Virginia State, Bowie State, Elizabeth City State and Lincoln (Mo.). Competition begins on Friday, March 9, at 10 a.m. versus the Trojans of Virginia State.