Trojan diamond nine wreck Shippensburg

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on February 26, 2007 1:47 PM

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MOUNT OLIVE -- Judson Smith tossed a three-hitter and Jason Sherrer's fifth-inning two-run homer helped break open a one-run game as nationally 27th-ranked Mount Olive extended its winning streak to seven with a rain-shortened 5-1 victory over Shippensburg (Pa.) in non-conference baseball Sunday at Scarborough Field. The scheduled nine-inning game, which was supposed to be part of a doubleheader, was called with two outs in the bottom of the seventh.

The game was scoreless until the bottom of the fourth when Mount Olive (12-5) was able to scratch for a run. Stephen Nordan and Scott Houin led off the inning with singles and moved to second and third on a wild pitch. Nordan scored the first run of the game on Erik Lovett's sacrifice fly to left.

The Trojans added a run in the fifth without the benefit of a hit. Anthony Williams was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning and went to second on David Cooper's sacrifice. Williams stole third and scored on a wild pitch to extend Mount Olive's lead to 2-0.

Shippensburg (3-7) manufactured a run in the top of the sixth inning as Scott Stern walked and Kyle Rhoades singled to lead off the inning. Stern advanced to third on a fielder's choice and scored on Timothy Freshour's ground ball to the right side. Second baseman Williams made a diving stop on Freshour's grounder to prevent a base hit and keep the Trojans on top 2-1.

Houin led off the bottom of the sixth with a double to right and eventually scored on a passed ball to give Mount Olive a 3-1 lead. With one and two out, Sherrer drilled a 3-1 pitch over the center field fence to cap the scoring.

Shippensburg threatened in the top of the seventh after Scott Goss singled with one out and Chad Griswold reached base on a wild pitch on strike three for what would have been the last out of the inning. Stern followed with a line drive deep to the gap in left-center, but centerfielder Houin made a sliding catch to end the inning.

Mount Olive had two runners on base with two outs in the seventh when the heaviest rain came down and the umpires called the game. The nightcap was also canceled as the Trojans swept what turned into a three-game series.

Smith (2-1) retired the first five batters he faced and 15 of the first 16, getting help on a double play ball in the fifth. He retired the side in order in the top of the fourth on four pitches. Smith struck out four and walked two in his first complete game for Mount Olive.

Shippensburg starter Stephen Slatcoff (0-2) struck out four and allowed two runs on four hits in five innings pitched. Frank D'Agostino pitched the sixth for the Red Raiders.

Mount Olive returns to action Wednesday as the Trojans travel to Misenheimer for a doubleheader against Pfeiffer. The games will not count toward the Carolinas-Virginia Athletics Conference standings. Game time is 1 p.m.

Ship. 000 001 0 -- 1 3 0

MOC 000 113 x -- 5 6 0

Pitchers: Shippensburg - Stephen Slatcoff; Frank D'Agostino (6). Mount Olive - Judson Smith.

Win-Smith (2-1) Loss- Slatcoff (0-2)

Hitters: Shippensburg-Jason Kelly (1-2, walk). Mount Olive-Jason Sherrer (1-3, home run, 2 RBI); Scott Houin (2-3, double, run).

HR MOC - Sherrer (2).

T-2:05 A-155

-- MOC sports information