Trojans sweep Mercyhurst, off to 4-0 start
By MOC Sports Information
Published in Sports on February 11, 2012 11:08 PM
MOUNT OLIVE -- Mount Olive's Robbin Kennedy delivered three hits and two RBI, and pitcher Christie Wright tossed a five-hitter as the Trojans remained undefeated with a 9-1 win over Mercyhurst (Pa.) University in game one of their doubleheader Saturday afternoon.
Freshman pitcher Lauren Smith tied a school record with 13 strikeouts and the Trojans scored three sixth-inning runs to take the nightcap, 12-9. Mount Olive is off to its first 4-0 start since the 2006 season.
Smith matched the school record held by Shauna Cowdry and Jenny Jackson during the 2007 season, and Tiffanie Pittman in 2006.
In the opener, the Trojans scored three runs in the bottom of the first and never looked back. With two outs and a runner on first, Kennedy slugged the first of her three hits, an RBI double to the center-field fence. Rebekah McDaniel followed with an RBI double of her own, then raced home on an errant throw.
With the Trojans ahead 3-1 in the third, Katie Moore and Kennedy led off with back-to-back doubles, then McDaniel and Nicole Taliercio singled to bring home two more. The four-run cushion was more than enough support for Christie Wright (1-0) who held the Lakers to five hits.
In game two, Smith (2-0) worked her way out of trouble for three innings, and her teammates built a 2-1 lead on RBI singles by Katie Moore and McDaniel in the first. She struck out two in each of the first four innings.
Mercyhurst pulled even at 1-1 in the fourth on Emily Redig's solo home run.
Mount Olive was on the verge of another run-rule victory when the Trojans sent 11 batters to the plate in the bottom of the fourth.
The Lakers tied the game at 9-9, but the Trojans rallied to preserve their unbeaten start.
Kennedy drove in her fourth run of the contest with a double to left, and McDaniel followed with an infield single. Two outs later, the Trojans' bench came through. Kassie Lowe kept the inning alive with a walk, then fellow pinch-hitter Jennifer Jones singled to right for the 12-9 lead.