Champs come home

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on June 2, 2008 2:13 PM

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MOUNT OLIVE — One sign said it all: “U Rock MOC!”

Escorted around campus by the Mount Olive Police Department with blue lights flashing, the Mount Olive College baseball team returned home before a small gathering of fans Sunday afternoon at Scarborough Field.

The No. 1-ranked Trojans defeated Ouachita (Ark.) Baptist for the school’s first-ever national championship in any sport. Mount Olive concluded the year with a school-record 58 victories.

Wearing big grins, the players filed off the bus one-by-one and drew cheers from friends and family members. The players took time to autograph posters, hats and baseballs — and, of course — chat about the remarkable week they just experienced.

“This is just outstanding,” said 22-year MOC head coach Carl Lancaster.

But the celebration is not over for the 2008 Division II College World Series champions.

The community will show its support today with a celebration at 5:30 p.m. at Scarborough Field. The first 60 kids 12-and-under will receive a free autographed baseball. The first 200 fans will receive a free 5x7 team photo from the CWS.

Parking at the field is limited.

The celebration is sponsored by the Town of Mount Olive, the Mount Olive Chamber of Commerce and Mount Olive College.