Trojan softball off to 3-0 start

Published in Sports on February 19, 2006 2:14 AM

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MOC Sports Information

MURFREESBORO -- Colleen Thomas recorded her third consecutive three-hit game and Jamie Pruitt's two-run single capped a five-run third inning as Mount Olive defeated Chowan 9-2 in non-conference softball action Friday afternoon.

The second game was called after three innings due to darkness.

The doubleheader was originally scheduled for Saturday, but was moved up a day due to forecasts of adverse weather. No make-up date has been announced for the second game. The Trojans' doubleheader today at St. Paul's has also been postponed.

Mount Olive (3-0) broke a scoreless tie in the top of the third as Tiffanie Pittman doubled with one out, moved to third on a single by Thomas and scored on Melissa Bright's sacrifice fly. Morgan Whaley and Rigil Gruca connected with two-out RBI singles. Pruitt singled down the right field line to drive in two more runs and give the Trojans a 5-0 lead.

That would be more than enough run support for freshman pitcher Kristine Ermer (1-0), who scattered nine hits in her first collegiate complete game. She escaped a jam in the bottom of the fourth on a fly out to center after Chowan (0-1) loaded the bases with two outs.

The Trojans added two runs in the fifth inning as pinch-runner Kat Cahoon tagged up and scored when Chowan shortstop Ashley Rountree made an over-the-shoulder catch on a foul ball down the left field line. Gruca then scored on Erin Wilson's infield single to extend the Trojans' lead to 7-0.

Chowan got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fifth as Marianne Weir's RBI single ended Ermer's shutout bid. The Braves added another run in the sixth inning.

Mount Olive closed out the scoring in the top of the seventh as Georgette Richardson hit a pinch-hit single and eventually scored on Pittman's RBI single. Bright singled home Wilson for her second RBI and the Trojans' final run of the game.

Mount Olive collected 15 hits Friday, the Trojans' highest total since a 15-hit performance against Lees-McRae on March 21, 2004. The Trojans are averaging 12 hits per game in their first three games this season.

The second game was tied 3-3 after three innings before it was called for darkness.

Mount Olive plays its home opener Tuesday as the Trojans play host to St. Augustine's in a non-conference doubleheader. Game time is 3 p.m. at Nancy Chapman Cassell Field.