Bynum steals career-high five bases, MOC swipes 15 overall against St. Andrews

By MOC Sports Information
Published in Sports on March 24, 2012 11:08 PM

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MOC

Sports Information

LAURINBURG -- Sophomore Will Bynum swiped a career-best five bases and Mount Olive College recorded a program-best 15 steals overall in a 21-3 thrashing of in-state Conference Carolinas baseball rival St. Andrews on Saturday afternoon.

The No. 14-ranked Trojans (23-6 overall, 12-2 CC) swept the three-game series against the Knights, who are reclassifying to NAIA after this season. MOC defeated St. Andrews 23-7 and 11-5 on Friday.

The Trojans became the first NCAA Division II team in 15 years to steal at least 15 bases in a single game, and it's the fourth-highest single-game total in NCAA history.

Antonio Calloway and Mike Mercurio each stole three bases, while Jacob Roberts added two stolen bases. Jermaine Berry and Braden Reitano each stole a base. Calloway also delivered two hits and three RBI.

Berry and Geno Escalante cranked out four hits apiece and combined for six RBI in Saturday's victory -- MOC's 12th in a row.

Jake Moser (5-1) permitted three runs on eight hits, struck out six and walked two in a six-inning stint. Skyler Sopotnick, Derek Justice and Josh Frederick each pitched a scoreless inning in relief.

On Friday, Jacob Rogers became the first player in MOC baseball history to swat two home runs in three consecutive games in the opener. Rogers boosted his team-leading home run total 13. Trojan catcher Nick Gaeta batted 4-for-6 with four RBI. Berry, Matt Patrone (two RBI) and Reitano (solo HR) added to the offensive onslaught.

Junior right-hander Matt Dillon improved to 4-0 with a seven-inning effort that included seven strikeouts.

In the nightcap, Escalante stroked a two-run homer and Rogers finished the day 1-for-3 with three RBI. Pitcher Zach Smith (5-2) scattered seven hits and yielded no earned runs in a complete-game effort. He fanned six St. Andrews batters and walked two.

MOC turned two double plays.

The Trojans entertain St. Augustine's on Tuesday. First pitch is 6 p.m. at Scarborough Field.