MOC and Erskine rained out on Saturday

By MOC Sports Information
Published in Sports on April 6, 2008 4:43 AM

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MOC Sports Information

DUE WEST, S.C. -- The much anticipated three-game Conference Carolinas baseball series between nationally second-ranked Mount Olive and No.14 Erskine ended as a one-game series as Saturday's doubleheader was canceled due to rain.

The doubleheader is not expected to be rescheduled due to lack of available dates prior to the Conference Carolinas Baseball Tournament, which gets underway April 17.

Mount Olive (37-4 overall, 18-1 Conference Carolinas) defeated Erskine (33-5, 15-4) 9-2 Friday as Ryan Schlecht became the first pitcher in Trojan baseball history to reach the 10-0 mark. Schlecht allowed two runs on four hits in seven innings pitched.

Josh Harrison tied an individual school record with three doubles and the Trojans tied a team record with nine doubles in the game.

As a result of Friday's win and Saturday's rain out, Mount Olive is assured of finishing the regular season with at least a tie for the highest winning percentage in conference play. The Trojans hold a three-game lead over second place Erskine.

Three of Mount Olive's four games during the week were canceled due to the weather. The Trojans were scheduled to play their annual exhibition game this past Tuesday at the Kinston Indians, advanced Single-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians.

Mount Olive returns to action Wednesday as the Trojans play host to Virginia State in a rematch of the first round of last year's South Atlantic Regional in the 2007 NCAA Division II Baseball Championship.

Mount Olive won 6-1, despite Virginia State turning what is believed to be the first-ever triple play in the NCAA II Baseball Championship. Game time is 3 p.m. at Scarborough Field.

Mount Olive concludes regular season conference play next weekend as the Trojans play host to Belmont Abbey in a three-game series at Scarborough Field. Belmont Abbey is in third place in the conference standings, but could enter next weekend's series as close as two games behind the Trojans in the win column.

The two teams are scheduled to play a doubleheader Saturday beginning at 3 p.m. and a single game Sunday at 1 p.m.