Errors prove crucial for Trojans

By MOC Sports Information
Published in Sports on March 25, 2009 1:47 PM

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MOC Sports Information

SALISBURY -- Errors and base-running miscues proved crucial throughout the afternoon as Mount Olive College dropped a baseball doubleheader against in-state rival Catawba College.

The Trojans committed four defensive miscues in the fourth inning and watched its five-run lead disappear in a 13-5 loss in the opening game. In the nightcap, Mount Olive battled from behind twice and came within one out of salvaging a split, but lost 8-7.

Game one marked the homecoming for Trojan starting pitcher Craig Beasley. The Salisbury native got off to a strong, picking off a runner in the first and keeping Catawba scoreless through two innings. But the third inning proved disastrous for Beasley (1-1) and the Trojans.

Catawba's first six batters reached safely as back-to-back RBI doubles by Josh Hohn and Lyerly pulled the Indians within 5-2. After a failed rundown and an error on a routine ground ball loaded the bases, Brett Hatley doubled home two runs.

A fielder's choice brought home the tying run and Corey Parker's RBI single put Catawba ahead to stay. Another fielding error, a throwing error on a stolen base attempt and a failed cut off resulted in four more runs as Catawba built a 9-5 lead.

Hohn's two-run double capped a three-run fourth inning and the Indians capped the scoring with a run in the sixth.

In game two, Trojan relief pitcher Ryan Williams (1-1) got the final two outs of the fifth inning and overcame a one-out walk in the sixth by striking out the final two batters.

Williams retired the first two batters in the seventh on a shallow flyout and an infield popout. Williams appeared to have the win on Jacob Faggard's ground ball to shortstop, but the field umpire called Faggard safe at first base.

Catawba had new life.

Williams got another infield ground ball, but a throwing error put runners on second and third. Zeb Link, who was hitless in his three previous at-bats, singled through the right side to tie the game 7-7. Chris Ahearn's hard hit grounder to short was misplayed, which allowed the winning run to score.

Williams was charged with the loss, despite not giving up any earned runs.

Mount Olive (19-14 overall) travels to Belmont Abbey for a three-game Conference Carolinas series this weekend. Saturday's doubleheader starts at noon with a single game scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m.