Trojans collect timely hits in twin-bill sweep

By MOC Sports Information
Published in Sports on February 14, 2008 3:22 PM

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WINGATE -- Rich Racobaldo's two-run double in the fifth inning broke a 2-2 tie and Josh Harrison followed with a two-run homer as No. 2-ranked Mount Olive completed a doubleheader sweep with a 7-2 victory over Wingate on Wednesday evening.

Anthony Williams batted 3-for-3 and scored three runs, while Alex Vertcnik contributed three RBI as the Trojans took the opener 11-3.

Mount Olive (8-1 overall) extended its win streak to six games and returns to action this weekend with back-to-back doubleheaders against Shippensburg (Pa.) University.

In game one, the Trojans took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first on David Cooper's leadoff single and Erik Lovett's RBI double. Wingate (3-7) tied the game in the bottom of the inning on Aaron Knowles' lead-off home run.

Trojan starter Jesse Lancaster (2-0) retired 10 consecutive batters before surrendering an unearned run in the fourth. Lancaster struck out five and allowed four hits in five innings pitched. Anthony Hernandez pitched the final two innings.

Mount Olive took the lead for good with a four-run second inning as the Trojans loaded the bases with nobody out on a walk to Jackson Massey and singles by Williams and Cooper. After a wild pitch brought in the first run, Vertcnik and Racobaldo followed with RBI singles.

Vertcnik scored on an error to give Mount Olive a 5-1 lead.

The Trojans added single runs in the third and fourth innings and broke the game open with a four-run fifth inning. Vertcnik singled home the first run, an error brought in the next run and Harrison drilled the first pitch he saw off the right field wall for a two-run double to cap the scoring.

Harrison, Cooper, Vertcnik, Racobaldo and Lovett collected two hits apiece in the Trojans' 13-hit attack.

In game two, Harrison broke the scoreless tie with a second-inning, RBI sacrifice fly. Lancaster came home on an error to make it 2-0. Wingate forged a 2-2 tie in the fourth on Blair Troutman's RBI double and Spencer Robinson's two-out, RBI single.

Paul Novicki (1-0) relieved starter Todd Jeffreys and after issuing a walk to load the bases, Novicki struck out the next batter to end the inning.

The Trojans regained the lead for good in the top of the fifth as Vertcnik singled with one out and Lovett followed with a double. Racobaldo doubled to right center one out later to give Mount Olive a 4-2 lead.

Harrison then sent a pitch over the right field fence for his first home run of the season and a four-run Trojan lead. Vertcnik singled in a run in the sixth.

Novicki allowed one hit and recorded three strikeouts in 2 1/3 scoreless innings pitched. Kyle Jones retired the side in order in the seventh to seal the win.