Trojans Sweep Virginia Union In Doubleheader

MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. - Mount Olive softball swept their nonconference doubleheader against the Panthers of Virginia Union University on Sunday afternoon at Nancy Chapman Cassell Field. 

GAME 1 INFORMATION
Score: Mount Olive 8, Virginia Union 0
Records: Mount Olive (5-6), Virginia Union (0-2)
Location: Mount Olive, N.C.

How It Happened
Play-by-Play

GAME RUNDOWN

• The Trojans got game one started in an unusual way as Charlene Thompson laid down a lead-off bunt in the bottom of the first and beat the throw, but an errant throw by the Panthers into the outfield allowed the Trojans right fielder to come all the way around to score.
• Mount Olive added another run off an Eileen Barrera RBI-single through the left side and UMO led 2-0 after the first.
• The third inning saw a trio of runs score for the home nine as a fielding error allowed two runs to score and Heather Childress added the final run on a RBI-single to right center to extend the lead to 5-0.
• UMO added the final runs needed for the win in the bottom of the fourth. 
• Madison Morgan walked with one away to start to offensive threat. Alyssa Pickle followed up with a single through the right side and both runners moved into scoring position following a fielding error by the left fielder.
• Barrera came through again with two more RBI and put UMO up 7-0.
• Alexis Oliver plated the final run with her RBI-single through the right side and with VUU retired in the top of the fifth Mount Olive won via the mercy run.
• Eileen Barrera led the team going 3-for-3 with 3 RBI.
• Mallory Ratcliff (1-2) picked up the win in the circle in game one going five complete giving up two hits striking out one in the shutout.

GAME 2 INFORMATION
Score: Mount Olive 8, Virginia Union 0
Records: Mount Olive (6-6), Virginia Union (0-3)
Location: Mount Olive, N.C.

How It Happened
Play-by-Play

GAME RUNDOWN

• It took Mount Olive a bit longer to get the offense rolling in game two as the Trojans did not find their first run until the bottom of the third when Alexis Oliver grounded out to score Charlene Thompson from third.
• UMO had to wait until the fourth to add any more runs as Barrera singled to lead off the inning and Mikayla Koch came into pinch run. Koch then stole second and following a fielding error that allowed Hannah Burress to obtain first, she baited a throw from Virginia Union on a double steal and beat the throw home to make the score 2-0.
• Amber Elliott then moved two Trojans into scoring position with her double to left and after Burress was eliminated on a fielder's choice Charlene Thompson a batter later singled up the middle scoring Elliot and Heather Childress.
• Mount Olive added a pair of runs in the fifth on another Barerra RBI base hit as well as an Elliott RBI-double to make the cushion 6-0 Trojans heading into the sixth.
• After retiring the Panthers in the top half UMO went back to work as Megan Bryant came in for a pinch hit appearance and drew a lead-off walk.
• Thompson followed that with a perfectly placed bunt infront of the plate and beat the throw to put runners on first and second.
• A wild pitch moved Bryant and Thompson into scoring position and Cassandra Lassiter did her job with a sacrifice fly to score Bryant. 
• Oliver came up next and on a 1-2 count grounded out to the shortstop but Thompson scored to end game two just like game one, via the mercy rule and Mount Olive won 8-0.
• Megan Mills (1-0) in her first start of the year got the win going the distance allowing only four hits and also struck out four to go along with shutout.
• Thompson led the team going 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored.

NEXT

Mount Olive returns to action Monday when the Trojans host the Golden Eagles of the University of Charleston (W.Va.) at 2 & 4 p.m.