Trojans split a doubleheader at Emory & Henry

EMORY, Va. (Feb. 18) – The University of Mount Olive softball program split a pair of low-scoring affairs on Feb. 18 on the road at Emory & Henry in non-conference play, registering a 5-2 victory in game one before suffering a 4-2 loss in game two.

With the split, the Trojans moved to 4-4 overall while playing their previous four contests on the road. Meanwhile, the Wasps sit at 1-4 this season.

In game one, junior Hannah Killough improved to 3-1 and delivered her third complete game of the year after yielding just two runs (all earned) on six hits with eight strikeouts and three walks in seven innings pitched. She forced five flyouts and seven groundouts while stranding eight runners on base, including five in scoring position.

In the top of the second, sophomore Alyssa Smothers produced a bases-clearing three-run double to right center to give UMO the lead, 3-0. The following at-bat, junior Courtlynn Cooney laced an RBI single up the middle to extend the advantage to 4-0. The Trojans showed off their baserunning skills in the top of the third frame after junior Cana Shrock started the inning with a double down the left-field line. Freshman Bri Verme followed with an infield single to put runners on the corners before a double steal allowed Shrock to score from third to extend the lead to 5-0.

The Wasps got on the board in the bottom of the fourth with an RBI single to center field before scoring in the seventh on a solo homer to left center to cut the UMO lead to 5-2.

Shrock finished two for three with two runs scored and a stolen base, while Smothers went one for three with three RBI and one run scored.

In game two, Emory & Henry scored the opening run of the game on a passed ball in the first inning. In the top of the third, junior Adrianna Efird launched her first career homer to center field to tie the game, 1-1. The Wasps answered in the bottom half of the inning with an RBI single and sacrifice fly to bring two runs across the plate and lead 3-1.

Emory & Henry added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth on an RBI single up the middle to stretch the lead to 4-1. Mount Olive attempted to rally in the top of the seventh after a pair of runners reached base on errors. With two outs, Smothers belted a single up the middle to cut the deficit to two runs, 4-2. The following at-bat, UMO grounded out to the first baseman to end the contest.

Senior Lauren King suffered the loss (0-2) after yielding two runs (one earned) on two hits with a pair of walks and two strikeouts over two innings pitched.

— From University of Mount Olive Athletics