MOC-Coker softball

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on March 15, 2012 1:48 PM

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MOC Sports Information

HARTSVILLE, S.C. -- Robbin Kennedy gunned down the potential game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh, and scored the game-clinching run in the eighth inning of Mount Olive's come-from-behind, 3-2 victory over Conference Carolinas softball nemesis Coker (S.C.) College on Tuesday afternoon.

Lauren Smith tossed a two-hit shutout in the nightcap, an 11-0 Trojan win that completed the doubleheader sweep. It was Smith's second victory of the day and sixth shutout of the season.

MOC starter Christie Wright permitted only a fourth-inning single in six innings of work in the opener, but the Trojans trailed 2-0. Kennedy drew a lead-off walk, stole second and scored when Jennifer Jones' line-drive shot deflected off the third baseman's glove.

The Trojans (15-9 overall, 4-0 CC) loaded the sacks in the seventh. Rebekah McDaniel was hit by a pitch, Tiffany Hawley reached on an error and Danielle Mitchell reached on a bunt single. Beth Overman plated pinch-runner Lauren McGrath with a sacrifice fly, tying the contest at 2-2.

Smith (9-3) escaped trouble in the seventh to force extra innings.

Kennedy, by virtue of the international tie-breaker rule, started the eighth at second base and moved to third on a wild pitch. She scored on Jones' groundout to the right side.

Coker (12-14, 6-8) put the game-tying run on third in its half of the inning, but Smith fanned the next two batters to seal the comeback win.

Smith surrendered a one-out triple in the first inning of game two, then retired 20 of the final 22 batters she faced. The right-hander struck out six and allowed just three Coker runners to reach base.

MOC grabbed a 4-0, first-inning lead and cruised from there.