UMO sweeps Elizabeth City State

MOUNT OLIVE (Mar. 14) – With a pair of run-rule victories on March 14, the Trojans registered a doubleheader sweep over Elizabeth City State in non-conference action at Nancy Chapman Cassell Field, delivering a 9-1 win in game one before recording an 8-0 victory in game two.

With the sweep, the University of Mount Olive softball team improved to 11-9 this season and stretched its winning streak to four straight games.

In game one, Mount Olive jumped out to an early 3-0 advantage in the first inning after junior Courtlynn Cooney led off the frame with an infield single before advancing to third on a stolen base and wild pitch. Sophomore Alyssa Smothers delivered a sacrifice fly to center field to bring across the first run of the game. Juniors Cana Shrock and Ashlyn Porter followed with back-to-back solo homers to left field to extend the lead. In the bottom of the second, Smothers produced a two-run single through the left side before Shrock belted a two-run homer to take a commanding 7-0 lead. The Trojans scored twice in the third on a double steal followed by an RBI groundout from sophomore Meredith Smith to lead 9-0. The Vikings tallied one run in the top of the fifth on an RBI single before UMO sealed the run-rule victory, 9-1.

The Trojans featured four players with multi-hit performances while Shrock and Smothers each totaled three RBI.

Freshman Bri Verme (1-1) earned the win after yielding one run on three hits with three strikeouts over 3 innings of relief. Junior Hannah Killough started the contest and tossed 2 scoreless innings with zero hits and two strikeouts.

In game two, junior Kylie Emanuele blasted a solo home run, her fifth of the year, to give UMO a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second. With two outs, junior Emma Mooney doubled down the left-field line before Cooney scored her on an RBI single to right field to put UMO ahead 2-0.

Freshman Emily Cassidy helped extend the lead in the third with an RBI single to left field before Mount Olive scored three runs on two hits in the fourth inning. Smothers collected an RBI on a groundout before Shrock reached base on a fielding error. Porter laced a single to right field before a wild pitch and an error allowed two more runners to cross the plate and UMO led 6-0.

In the bottom of the fifth, Emaneule delivered a leadoff single and stole second base to move into scoring position. Freshman Kaylee Taylor recorded an RBI single up the middle and advanced all the way to third on a throw home. Junior Adrianna Efird entered as a pinch hitter and produced the game-winning sacrifice fly.

Senior Lauren King improved to 2-2 after surrendering just three hits with four strikeouts and one walk in 4 scoreless innings in the start. Sophomore Callie Thornton tossed the final innings with zero hits and one strikeout.

— From University of Mount Olive Athletics