Mount Olive sweeps non-conference doubleheader

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on February 17, 2005 1:58 PM

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MOUNT OLIVE - Santos Estremera scored two runs and four Mount Olive pitchers combined on a four-hitter to lead the Trojans to a 6-2 victory in Game 2 to complete a doubleheader sweep over Elizabeth City State in non-conference baseball Wednesday at Scarborough Field. In the opener, John Pearson pitched 3.1 scoreless innings in relief and the Trojans capitalized on four errors in a five-run fifth-inning to defeat Elizabeth City State 10-5.

Mount Olive (5-6) scored four runs in the bottom of the second as Estremera tripled to center to drive home a run and Jonathan Pullen hit a two-run double. The Trojans added a run in the third on Anthony Williams' RBI-single through the left side.

Elizabeth City (0-7) rallied in the top of the fourth inning as Nick Raynor hit an RBI-single and after the Vikings loaded the bases, Gary Taylor's drive to left-center field hit the top of the fence and bounced over for a grand slam home run to tie the game 5-5.

Mount Olive broke the tie in the bottom of the fifth as two runs came in when Ricky Davis' line drive to left field was misplayed. Davis stole second and continued to third on an errant throw, and scored when Pullen reached on an error. Pullen also went from first to third on a stolen base and error, and scored on a passed ball to make the score 9-5. Mount Olive closed out the scoring on Stephen Nordan's RBI double to right, the Trojans' only hit in the inning.

Pearson (1-0), a converted first baseman, picked up his first collegiate victory on the mound, entering the game in relief of starter Ryan Barham with two outs in the fourth. Pearson allowed one hit and walked one.

Elizabeth City State starter Derrick Casper (0-2) allowed all 10 runs, five unearned.

In the second game, the Trojans took a 2-0 lead in the first inning as Pullen singled home a run and eventually scored on a passed ball.

Elizabeth City State tied the game in the top of the second as Rasheed Bradshaw scored on Nick Raynor's sacrifice fly and Chris Taylor scored the tying run on an errant throw on a stolen base attempt.

The Trojans took the lead for good in the bottom of the third when Estremera led off with a double to the fence in left-center and scored two outs later on a single by Josh Carter. Nordan doubled home Carter to give Mount Olive a 4-2 lead. The Trojans added two more runs in the sixth as Michael Glass hit an RBI-single and Nick Paniccia scored on a wild pitch.

Starter Daniel Wood allowed three hits in three innings pitched, giving up one earned run and one unearned run. Pennington (1-0) allowed one hit and struck out two in two scoreless innings. Brett Williams and Bryan Corbett pitched an inning apiece, each retiring the side in order and striking out two. Kevin Dodson (0-2), who pitched an inning of relief in game one, went the distance in game two.

Mount Olive begins Carolinas-Virginia Athletics Conference play this weekend as the Trojans travel to Wilson, N.C., for a three-game series against Barton. The two teams play a doubleheader Saturday beginning at noon, then close out the series with a single game Sunday at 1 p.m.