Trojans push winning streak to 17

By MOC Sports Information
Published in Sports on March 3, 2008 1:48 PM

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MOC Sports Information

MOUNT OLIVE -- Ryan Schlecht scattered three hits and yielded an unearned run in seven innings of work as No. 1-ranked Mount Olive dispatched Anderson (S.C.) 7-1 on Sunday afternoon.

Schlecht (5-0) finished with six strikeouts and three walks, which all occurred in the sixth inning. The right-hander lowered his ERA to 0.56 and hasn't surrendered an earned run in 27 consecutive innings.

Alex Vertcnik pounded out three hits and collected two RBI, while Erik Lovett tied the school record for career home runs (27). Lovett's fifth-inning dinger, a two-run shot, tied the mark set by Stephen Nordan.

Lovett hit three homers during the series sweep.

Mount Olive (19-1 overall) improved to 6-0 against league opposition this season. The Trojans have won 12 consecutive Conference Carolinas series and 40 of their last 44 league games overall.

Vertcnik put Mount Olive on the board in the first inning. His double down the third-base line scored Jesse Lancaster, who reached on a one-out triple.

The Trojans, winners of 17 straight games, added two runs in the third inning. David Cooper led off with a single, stole second and scored on Vertcnik's single to center field. Vertcnik ended up scoring when Anderson's outfielder misplayed the ball, which rolled to the fence.

Vertcnik kept the fifth inning alive with a two-out double and Lovett drove a pitch over the fence in straightaway center field to extend Mount Olive's lead to 5-0. It was Lovett's fifth homer of the season.

Anderson (5-7, 1-5 CC) avoided the shutout in the sixth inning without logging a base hit. Alex Roberson drew a lead-off walk from Schlecht. The visiting Trojans loaded the bases on a two-out walk and infield error.

Roberson crossed home on a wild pitch.

Dylan Holton and Anthony Williams provided back-to-back, RBI triples in the eighth inning to conclude the scoring.

Anthony Hernandez, who relieved Schlecht, retired the side in order in the eighth. The Trojans turned a key double play to send Anderson home.

Mount Olive visits No. 7-ranked Francis Marion (S.C.) University for a two-game series Tuesday and Wednesday. First pitch is 3 p.m. on both days.