UMO splits league doubleheader against Chowan

MOUNT OLIVE – Junior Cana Shrock delivered a walk-off two-run single in game two, as the University of Mount Olive softball team posted a doubleheader split versus Chowan on April 5 in Conference Carolinas action at Nancy Chapman Cassell Field, falling by a 3-2 margin in game one before recording a 10-2 rule-run win in Game 2.

With the split, the Trojans hold a 20-14 overall record with a 9-5 mark in league play. Following today’s results, Mount Olive sits sixth in the conference standings with eight regular season contests left. Meanwhile, the Hawks stand at 16-19 this season with a 3-11 record in league action.

In Game 2, sophomore pitcher Callie Thornton improved to 2-3 in the circle after surrendering one run on four hits with four strikeouts and four walks in 5 1/3 innings of relief. She forced eight flyouts and two groundouts while facing 24 batters in the win.

Chowan established a 1-0 lead in the top of the first on an RBI single to center field before the Trojans countered with three runs on two hits in the bottom half. Junior Courtlynn Cooney drew a walk to begin the frame before sophomore Alyssa Smothers reached base on a bunt single to the catcher. With two outs, junior Kylie Emanuele launched a three-run homer to left field, her eighth of the season, to take a 3-1 advantage.

After a pair of scoreless innings, the Hawks cut into the deficit in the top of the fourth on a sacrifice fly to left field to trail by a 3-2 margin.

Mount Olive broke open the game in the bottom of the fifth inning after Cooney and junior Ashlyn Porter registered RBI singles before junior Lark Collins belted a two-run double to left-center to stretch the advantage to 7-2. In the bottom of the seventh, the initial two batters for UMO reached on a hit by pitch and a walk before Smothers laced an RBI double to left-center, 8-2. The following at-bat, Shrock produced the game-winning two-run single through the left side to claim the 10-2 rule-run victory.

In game one, Cooney led off the bottom of the first inning with a single up the middle before stealing second base. With one out, Porter delivered a sacrifice fly to deep left field that allowed Cooney to score from second to take a 1-0 advantage. After a scoreless second frame, the Hawks tallied a pair of runs after an RBI single to left field and a sacrifice fly to take a 2-1 lead.

The Hawks continued to hold the lead heading into the seventh frame before adding to the advantage on an RBI single to right-center, 3-1. In the bottom half, Emanuele reached base on a walk before advancing into scoring position on a wild pitch. With two outs, junior Adrianna Efird delivered a pinch-hit RBI single down the left-field line to cut the deficit to 3-2. Following a walk and a wild pitch, the Trojans had a pair of runners in scoring position before a pop out in the infield ended the game.

Junior Hannah Killough was saddled with the loss (10-6) after yielding two runs (one earned) on four hits with six strikeouts and three walks in 3 1/3 innings pitched. Freshman Bri Verme pitched effectively after surrendering one run on three hits with two strikeouts and three walks in 3 2/3 innings.

— From University of Mount Olive Athletics