College baseball - MOC wins again

By MOC Sports Information
Published in Sports on April 11, 2006 1:59 PM

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MOUNT OLIVE -- Jesse Lancaster recorded a career-high seven strikeouts and Josh Carter went 3-for-3 to pace a 12-hit attack as Mount Olive extended its winning streak to 10 with a 5-1 victory over Belmont Abbey in Carolinas-Virginia Athletics Conference baseball Monday at Scarborough Field.

The win gives the Trojans a sweep of the three-game CVAC series, which was pushed back a day due to Saturday's storms.

Mount Olive (31-11 overall, 13-8 CVAC) jumped on top in the bottom of the first as Lance Martin and Carter connected on back-to-back doubles to give the Trojans a 1-0 lead. Martin, who notched his sixth multi-hit performance in his last seven games, extended his hitting streak to 11.

Graham Wooten added a run for the Trojans in the second, leading off with a single, stealing second and advancing to third on a throwing error. Wooten scored on Kyle Curtis' ground out to the right side.

Lancaster (5-1) gave up a leadoff single in the top of the first, then did not allow another baserunner until the fourth inning.

Lancaster got out of the first on an inning-ending strike 'em out, throw 'em out double play on a Belmont Abbey steal attempt.

Belmont Abbey (21-29, 13-11) got on the scoreboard with two outs in the fourth when Seth Waller beat out an infield single to third on an 0-2 pitch to score Will Breslin and pull the Crusaders within 2-1.

Mount Olive answered in the bottom of the fifth as Curtis led off with a single, moved to second on Anthony Williams' sacrifice and scored on David Cooper's single through the right side.

Belmont Abbey starter Andrew Morton (5-4) struck out six and had allowed three runs through the first six innings, but was lifted with two outs in the seventh after Cooper beat out an infield single. Martin greeted reliever Andy Evans with a drive through the left side and Cooper scored when the ball was misplayed in the outfield, giving the Trojans a 4-1 lead. Martin scored on Stephen Nordan's single to cap the scoring.

Donald Huff pitched the final two innings for Mount Olive, overcoming a leadoff error in the eighth with a strikeout and a 5-4-3 double play. Huff retired the side in order in the ninth, striking out the final two batters.

Mount Olive, which ranks 33rd in the nation in double plays per game, turned three double plays Monday against Belmont Abbey.

Lancaster allowed four hits and two walks in seven innings pitched. The freshman's previous high for strikeouts was six against Pfeiffer. He retired the side in order in the second, third and sixth innings. The fourth inning was the only inning in which he allowed more than one baserunner.

As a result of the series, Mount Olive moves into sole possession of third place in the CVAC standings, a full game ahead of Limestone, while Belmont Abbey falls to fifth. The Trojans conclude regular season conference play Friday and Saturday at Limestone. Belmont Abbey has finished its conference schedule.

Mount Olive is back in action Tuesday as the Trojans play host to nationally fourth-ranked Catawba in a non-conference doubleheader. Game time is 3 p.m. at Scarborough Field. Belmont Abbey plays host to Presbyterian Wednesday at 2 p.m. in a non-conference doubleheader.