Trojans slip past Chowan U

By MOC Sports Information
Published in Sports on April 4, 2012 1:48 PM

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MOC

Sports Information

MOUNT OLIVE -- Derek Justice pitched 42/3 scoreless innings in relief and No. 5-ranked Mount Olive College squeezed past in-state rival Chowan University, 8-5, at Scarborough Field on Tuesday afternoon.

Jacob Rogers pounded out three hits for the Trojans, who improved to 28-6 overall and extended their win streak to a season-high 17 games.

MOC trailed 5-4 after 51/2 innings, but finally chased Hawks starter Evan Hart from the mound in the sixth. Will Bynum connected on a one-out single, stole second and raced home as the game-tying run on Mike Mercurio's RBI double.

Mercurio cruised home on Antonio Callaway's RBI double and Rogers followed with an RBI single.

Trojan starter Skylar Sopotnick carried a two-hit shutout into the fifth inning, but surrendered five runs. Justice took over with one out and eventually retired 12 of the final 14 batters he faced, which included five strikeouts. He gave up two hits and walked one.

Hart dropped to 1-1 this season, while the Hawks fell to 19-19 overall.

The teams conclude their two-game series today. First pitch is 4 p.m.