Mount Olive claims series with split versus Barton

MOUNT OLIVE – Following a doubleheader split on Feb. 27, the Trojans claimed their second straight Conference Carolinas series against Barton at Scarborough Field, falling 5-1 in game one before posting an 8-4 victory in game two.

With the split, the University of Mount Olive baseball team improved to 8-3 overall with a 4-2 mark in league play. UMO has secured the opening two series of league play. Meanwhile, Barton dropped to 3-9 this season with a 1-5 mark in conference play.

In game two, the Bulldogs leaped out to a 2-0 advantage after capitalizing on a first-inning error in the infield before bringing another run home on an RBI single to left field. The Trojans were able to escape the early jam and leave the bases loaded at the top of the first. In the second frame, Mount Olive tied the contest 2-2 following a leadoff single by senior J.T. Stone. A hit by a pitch and a fielder’s choice left runners on the corners for graduate student Landon Chubby to deliver an RBI single to right field. With two outs, junior Dylan Jeffries laced an RBI single to left field to tie the game.

The Trojans would take the lead in the top of the third on an RBI double from Stone before tallying two more runs in the fourth. Senior Jack Casbarro recorded an RBI on a fielder’s choice before junior Vito Patierno delivered a sacrifice fly to right field to put UMO ahead 5-2. In the bottom of the sixth, Mount Olive extended its lead to 8-2 on an RBI single from Patierno and a two-run single from Stone. Barton managed to cut the deficit in the seventh with a pair of runs, but the UMO bullpen shut down the final two innings.

Stone finished 3 for 3 with three RBI, one run scored, and one walk, while Choboy went 2 for 4 with one RBI and one run scored. Jeffries registered a multi-hit performance with one RBI, one run scored and a walk.

Senior Dawson Gause earned the win (1-0) after yielding four earned runs on six hits with two strikeouts and three walks in 6 innings of work. Juniors Hayden Myrick and Justin Koehler combined to finish the final 3 innings, scattering four hits with two strikeouts and zero runs surrendered.

In game one, Barton raced out to an early 2-0 advantage on a two-run single to left field. The Trojans were unable to score in the opening four innings after leaving four runners on base, including a pair in scoring position. The Bulldogs increased the lead to 4-0 in the top of the fifth with a pair of solo homers before UMO responded in the bottom of the sixth with an RBI triple from sophomore Cooper George to put Barton ahead 4-1. In the top of the seventh, Barton registered an insurance run on a sacrifice fly to center field for a 5-1 Bulldog lead.

Senior Erik Johnson was saddled with the loss (1-1) after surrendering four runs on six hits with one walk and six strikeouts over 6 innings pitched.

— From University of Mount Olive Athletics