University of Mount Olive right-hander Hannah Killough fires a pitch toward the plate during first-inning action against Elizabeth City State on Tuesday afternoon. Killough retired all six batters she faced in two innings of work. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
University of Mount Olive’s Courtney Cooney successfully steals second base while Elizabeth City State shortstop Sikia Kornegay during game one of their doubleheader at Nancy Chapman Cassell Field on Tuesday afternoon. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
University of Mount Olive teammates celebrate as Cana Shrock touches the plate after hitting the first of her two home runs against Elizabeth City State on Tuesday afternoon. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetibune.com)
University of Mount Olive freshman right-hander Brie Verme earned her first-ever collegiate win with three innings of three-hit, three-strikeout relief in game one against Elizabeth City State on Tuesday afternoon. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
University of Mount Olive junior Emma Mooney kicks up the dirt a little bit after easily taking second base on a fielder’s choice play against Elizabeth City State on Tuesday afternoon. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Cana Shrock boosted her team-leading home run total and the University of Mount Olive continued its impressive dominance over in-state softball rival Elizabeth City State on a brisk, chilly Tuesday afternoon.
Shrock swatted two dingers in the opener — a 9-1, mercy-rule win. The sophomore alumna from Nash Central High School has “touched ‘em all” on 10 occasions this season.
In the nightcap, returning All-American Kylie Emanuele mashed a second-inning, solo home during the Trojans’ 8-0, mercy-rule decision. Emanuele’s round-tripper increased the team total to 24 for the season.
The Trojans lead the all-time series 13-0, with five of the last nine meetings resulting in a shutout. It was the first-ever doubleheader between the two teams contested at Nancy Chapman Cassell Field on the UMO campus.
The previous 11 meetings took place at either ECSU or a neutral site.
Game 1
Shrock’s two homers and Ashlyn Porter’s solo shot spearheaded an 11-hit outing for the Trojans.
Shrock, Porter, Courtlynn Cooney and Kaylee Taylor pounded out two hits apiece. Sophomore Alyssa Smothers (RBI), winning pitcher Brie Verme and redshirt sophomore Kyndal Woodard each contributed one hit.
Starting pitcher Hannah Killough held the Vikings hitless and collected two strikeouts in two innings. Verme secured her first-ever collegiate win three innings of three-hit, three-strikeout relief.
Game 2
Emanuele’s bases-clearing shot broke a scoreless tie after one inning.
A junior from California, Emanuele ended the day with two hits and an RBI.
Emma Mooney, Cooney (RBI) and Porter each supplied two hits. Taylor (RBI) and Emily Cassidy (RBI) delivered one hit apiece.
Lauren King emerged as the winning pitcher inside the circle. The senior right-hander scattered three hits and retired four ECSU batters on strikeouts.
North Duplin alumna Callie Thornton tossed a hitless fifth and logged one strikeout in the scorebook.
The Trojans (11-9 overall) open their Conference Carolinas season at home Friday against in-state rival Belmont Abbey, which eliminated them from last year’s conference tournament. North Greenville (12-12) comes calling for a twinbill on Saturday.
