Limestone takes softball doubleheader at MOC

Published in Sports on March 27, 2005 2:07 AM

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MOUNT OLIVE -- A seventh-inning rally came up short as Mount Olive fell to Limestone (S.C.) College 4-2 in game one of an NCAA Division II Carolinas-Virginia Athletics Conference softball doubleheader Saturday afternoon at Nancy Chapman Cassell Field.

In the second game, Keisha Powell tossed a two-hit shutout and helped her cause with a two-run homer to lead Limestone to a 6-0 victory.

In the first game, Limestone broke a scoreless tie in the top of the third inning as Brittany Owen's rbi-single and Heather Woods' two-run homer gave the Saints a 3-0 lead. Limestone added a run in the sixth on Kristi Ellenberger's two-out pinch-hit rbi-single.

Mount Olive (10-21, 4-8 CVAC) was held scoreless on four hits until the Trojans rallied in the bottom of the seventh. Singles by Bailey Harrell and Ashley Jones helped the Trojans load the bases with one out.

After Limestone got a force at the plate for the second out, Emily Escolas lined a single to center to drive in two runs as the ball popped out of the catcher's glove.

Escolas advanced to second on the throw to the plate, but Limestone second baseman Brittany Owen threw the Mount Olive runner out at the plate to end the game.

Limestone pitcher Elizabeth Hawkins (4-9) went the distance for the win, while Trojan starter Ashley Napoles (1-8) took the loss.

In game two, Limestone (14-21, 5-1) took a 2-0 lead when Powell singled and scored in the second inning and doubled home a run in the third.

The Saints capitalized on two Mount Olive errors to add two runs in the fourth and Powell capped the scoring with a two-run homer in the fifth.

Mount Olive was held hitless until Melissa Bright led off the bottom of the fourth with a line single to left. The Trojans' only other hit was Harrell's single through the left side in the seventh inning.

Trojan starter Erin Case (4-4), who retired the side in order in the seventh inning of game one, pitched three innings and took the loss. Powell (7-9) struck out three and walked one.

Mount Olive returns to action Tuesday as the Trojans play host to nationally 21st-ranked LeMoyne (N.Y.) in a non-conference doubleheader. Game time is 4 p.m. at Nancy Chapman Cassell Field.