MOC softball wins

By MOC Sports Information
Published in Sports on March 20, 2008 1:50 PM

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MOUNT OLIVE -- Jenny Jackson, the reigning Conference Carolinas player of the year, ripped a three-run, sixth-inning home run as Mount Olive blanked North Georgia 3-0 in game one of their softball doubleheader Wednesday afternoon.

North Georgia answered with a 4-2 decision in the nightcap.

The Trojans (17-10 overall) put runners on base in four of the first five innings, but North Georgia turned three ground-ball double plays to preserve a scoreless tie.

In the sixth, North Georgia hurler Sarah Phillips issued a two-out walk to Kat Cahoon. Cahoon avoided the tag on Bailey Harrell's ground ball to the right side and Harrell legged out the throw to first base.

Jackson cleared the bases with a towering shot over the left-field fence. It was the Fremont native's eighth home run of the season.

On the mound, Jackson flirted with a no-hitter through five innings. The right-hander escaped a few tense moments during that stretch. She threw a runner out trying to steal second and freshman Kelly Minshew snagged a line drive to squelch a fifth-inning rally.

Jackson yielded two sixth-inning hits, but finished with a foul-out, strikeout and groundout. North Georgia stranded runners in scoring position in the seventh, but Jackson posted back-to-back strikeouts to seal the win.

Jackson (11-5) ended the game with seven strikeouts.

North Georgia raced to a 3-0 lead in game two.

Harrell's RBI single and an infield throwing error allowed Mount Olive to pull within 3-2 in the fifth inning. The Saints added a sxith-inning run on a wild pitch.

Jackson wound up the losing pitcher as the Trojans had their five-game win streak snapped.

Mount Olive, which has won eight of its last 10 games, entertains UNC Pembroke on March 25. First pitch is 5 p.m.