MOC sweeps Coker in pivotal series

By MOC Sports Information
Published in Sports on March 23, 2013 11:22 PM

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MOUNT OLIVE -- Don't pack up those new duds.

No. 4-ranked Mount Olive College debuted its black-and-green uniforms and earned a much-needed sweep of Conference Carolinas nemesis Coker (S.C.) College on Saturday afternoon.

The Trojans took the opener 4-0 behind Matt Dillon's complete-game shutout. Dillon (6-1) faced five batters over the minimum for a seven-inning contest and threw 74 strikes in a 106-pitch effort.

Zach Smith threw 1 2/3 innings of one-strikeout relief in a 9-6 win in the nightcap. Smith was the fourth pitcher used by Mount Olive, which earned its fifth consecutive series sweep of the Cobras, who are joining the South Atlantic Conference next fall.

Alex Regan (7-1) limited Coker to one run on five hits and logged five strikeouts in the Trojans' 16-1 rout on Friday evening. Matt Hinkle tossed two innings of scoreless relief in his first appearance since beating Millersville (Pa.) University in the 2011 NCAA Division II College World Series in Cary.

Hinkle missed all of last season with an injury.

Seven Trojan starters recorded at least one hit apiece in Saturday's opening-game win. Daniel Oliver had two hits. Bradon Reitano (two RBI), Zak Orrison (RBI), Matt Petrone (RBI), Jermaine Berry, Bryan Dunlavey and Will Bynum notched one hit apiece.

MOC broke the game open with a three-run sixth inning.

Dunlavey singled and advanced to second when Bynum legged out an infield bunt. Dunlavey scored on Petrone's base hit to center field. Reitano capped the offensive outburst with a two-RBI double to center field.

Orrison (two RBI), Berry (two RBI), Dunlavey (RBI) and Reitano each notched two hits in game two. Petrone drove in a game-high three runs. Geno Escalante and Bretton Gouthro each plated a run.

The Trojans raced to a 7-0 lead only to see the Cobras close to within 7-6 in the top of the sixth inning. Reitano crossed home on Escalante's double to right field in the bottom of the sixth.

Dunlavey raced home on Orrison's single to center field in the seventh inning.

Mount Olive (24-6 overall, 12-3 CC) extended its win streak to 19 games against Coker, and owns a commanding 50-18 advantage in the series since 1994.

In Friday's game, Petrone (two RBI), Berry (RBI) and Orrison (two RBI) pounded out three hits apiece. Reitano (three RBI) and Escalante (RBI) each contributed two hits. Oliver drove in two runs.

The Trojans entertain in-state rival Chowan University for a non-conference doubleheader on Tuesday. First pitch is 4 p.m.

Mount Olive is 53-0 against Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association schools since 1994.