Moser throws shutout, Trojans complete sweep of Limestone
By MOC Sports Information
Published in Sports on April 7, 2012 11:05 PM
MOC
Sports Information
GAFFNEY, S.C. -- Jake Moser threw his first shutout in 2012, Jacob Rogers slugged his team-high 14th homer of the season and No. 5-ranked Mount Olive College swept Limestone (S.C.) College, 12-0 and 16-7, in a Conference Carolinas baseball doubleheader Saturday afternoon.
The Trojans prevailed 14-7 on Friday.
Moser (7-1) permitted five hits and earned his second complete-game decision of the season. He retired the first 10 batters he faced and prevented the Saints from staging any serious threats in the opener.
Mount Olive (32-6 overall, 18-2 CC) sent 18 batters to the plate in a back-breaking, 10-run second-inning outburst. Junior catcher Geno Escalante extended his hitting streak to 29 games during that stretch, and had two hits in the inning along with Will Bynum.
Bynum's bases-loaded, two-RBI double gave Moser the run production he needed to hand Limestone its 16th loss in league play. The Saints (12-28 overall) were the preseason favorite to unseat the Trojans as the reigning Conference Carolinas champions.
Five MOC players recorded at least two hits apiece and Chris Hinton tossed four shutout innings in the nightcap. The Princeton High alum worked 41/3 innings, yielded six hits and fanned three Limestone batters.
The Trojans, winners of 21 consecutive games, began the slugfest with a four-run first inning against Limestone starter Cameron Ward. A single by Antonio Callaway, and walks to Rogers and Escalante loaded the bases with one out. Nick Gaeta forced in the first run with a walk, then Cameron Sherrer singled home two more.
A wild pitch made it 4-0.
Sherrer finished with four RBI, one shy of his season-high earlier this season against Virginia State. Gaeta and Bynum combined for six RBI.
Mount Olive travels to in-state rival Pfeiffer University (21-18, 12-9) for a three-game conference series next weekend. The teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday and a single contest on Sunday.
Softball
CHARLOTTE -- Kassie Lowe swatted a lead-off home run in the fifth inning and Mount Olive College upended Queens University-Charlotte, 1-0, in game two of their Conference Carolinas softball doubleheader Saturday afternoon.
Lauren Smith threw a complete-game three-hitter inside the pitcher's circle. It was the right-hander's third consecutive shutout and school-record ninth of the season.
The Royals' Chantel Dodge posted a three-hit shutout in the opener -- a 5-0 triumph by Queens. MOC starter Sarah Saunders (4-1) allowed six hits and surrendered two unearned runs in the loss.
The Trojans (25-15 overall, 13-5 CC) continue their season-ending, 12-game road swing Tuesday at Fayetteville State University. The twinbill begins at 3 p.m.
Men's volleyball
MOUNT OLIVE -- Junior outside hitter Adam Miracle and frontline mate Alex Rivero pounded out 14 kills apiece, and Mount Olive concluded regular-season play with a 26-24, 26-28, 25-17, 25-20 triumph over Limestone (S.C.) College on senior day Saturday afternoon inside Kornegay Arena.
It was the final home match for three MOC seniors -- setter Jackson Metichecchia, middle blocker John Nunns and Alex Vazquez. Sophomore middle blocker Jack Tutty was also recognized for his Import Sports/AVCA national player-of-the-week award he received in early March.
Nunns cranked out 13 kills and served a match-high three aces in the four-set contest. Lukas Hoelzl contributed 11 kills, while Tutty supplied 10 and recorded three blocks. Metichecchia passed out 54 assists.
Libero Dan Arnold logged 10 digs defensively.
MOC (16-13 overall, 7-3 CC) travels to Limestone next Sunday for a semifinal-round game in the 2012 Conference Carolinas tournament. The Trojans are the two-time defending league champions.
Track and field
DURHAM -- Mount Olive College sophomore TJ Wilson broke his own school record in the men's 400-meter hurdles during the Duke Invitational contested at Wallace Wade Stadium.
Wilson crossed the line in 55.86 seconds -- more than half a second faster than his previous best time. A Princeton High alum, Wilson placed seventh in the 110 hurdles (15.51) on Saturday, while fellow PHS alum Decardo Cole ended up 15th in the 200 meters (22.39).
The Trojans, ranked No. 1 in the Southeast Region Division II poll, took fourth in the men's 3,200-meter relay.