MOC hammers Chowan 14-6

By MOC Sports Information
Published in Sports on March 19, 2009 1:46 PM

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MOC

Sports Information

MOUNT OLIVE -- Senior Alex Vertcnik swatted a sixth-inning, grand slam as Mount Olive College thumped in-state rival Chowan University 14-6 at Scarborough Field on Wednesday afternoon.

The Trojans (16-12 overall) swept the two-day series and returns home for a weekend battle against Shepherd (W. Va.) University. The teams will play a doubleheader Saturday, beginning at noon, and a single game Sunday.

The Hawks (9-10) grabbed a 1-0, third-inning lead on Lee Dickens' RBI single.

Mount Olive finally answered in the third inning.

Jesse Lancaster belted a solo home run to left field for the 1-1 tie. The Trojans moved ahead 2-1 when Jonathan Smith was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Jackson Massey followed with a two-RBI hit to right field to make it 4-1.

Dylan Holton started Mount Olive's sixth-inning uprising with a single. He stole second, took third on a wild pitch and trotted home on Lancaster's base knock. Airlon Vinson and Rich Racobaldo each drew a walk to set the table for Vertcnik, who crushed his first grand slam of the season.

Chowan scored four ninth-inning runs off the Trojans' bullpen, including reliever Patrick Ball. Ryan Kussmaul started and improved to 4-1 on the mound.