Mount Olive diamond nine sweep doubleheader from Shepherd University

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on March 22, 2009 2:00 AM

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MOC Sports Information

MOUNT OLIVE -- Reliever Ryan Williams shut down a third-inning, bases-loaded rally and Rich Racobaldo delivered a two-out, two-RBI double in the fourth as Mount Olive spanked Shepherd (W. Va.) 18-4 in the opening game of a doubleheader Saturday afternoon.

Jesse Lancaster, Jonathan Smith and Tyler Smith recorded three hits apiece as the Trojans claimed the nightcap 17-5. Lancaster batted a combined 7-for-7 in the non-conference twinbill and reached base safely in all nine plate appearances.

Mount Olive (18-12 overall) pounded out 41 total hits in the two-game series.

In game one, Williams (1-0) took over for starter Ryan Kussmaul with two outs in the third inning. After walking a batter, Williams induced an inning-ending groundout. He eventually pitched three-plus scoreless innings and permitted just three hits to go with four strikeouts.

Racobaldo's extra-base knock broke a 4-4 deadlock and ignited a four-run uprising. The Trojans added six runs in the seventh inning and two in the eighth.

In game two, Mount Olive plated five runs in each of the first two innings for a 10-0 advantage. Lancaster recorded a first-inning, RBI triple. Alex Vertcnik supplied a two-RBI, second-inning hit.

Patrick Ball claimed his second mound victory.

The teams conclude their three-game series today. First pitch is 1 p.m. at Scarborough Field.