Trojans drop twinbill against Wingate

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on February 26, 2010 1:47 PM

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MOC Sports Information

MOUNT OLIVE -- Brittany Barrineau cranked out three home runs and once-beaten Wingate University convincingly claimed a non-conference, softball doubleheader sweep over Mount Olive College on Thursday afternoon.

Temperatures during the game never rose above 41 degrees with wind gusts up to 29 miles per hour. Snow flurries were still heavy within an hour of game time, but stopped before the first pitch.

Barrineau's two-out, solo home run ignited a four-run, first-inning outburst as Wingate took the opener 5-0. She added two home runs in the nightcap, a 10-5 slugfest that left the Trojans 2-10 overall this season.

MOC hurler Sasha Snyder worked just two-thirds of an inning and suffered the second-game pitching loss. Kristin Ware tossed five-plus innings of scoreless relief.

Trojan shortstop Kelly Minshew batted 3-for-4.

Freshman right-hander Lauren Darden retired the first two batters in game one until Barrineau slapped a two-strike pitch over the fence just inside the left-field foul pole. Emily Chavis added a three-run homer in the inning.

Bulldog pitcher Brittany Blankenship (6-1) tossed a complete game, three-hit shutout, striking out four and walking only one. Wingate (13-1 overall) has won 12 games against Conference Carolinas teams this season.

Mount Olive entertains Bloomsburg (Pa.) University for a non-conference doubleheader Saturday at Nancy Chapman Cassell Field. First pitch is noon.