No. 19-ranked Trojans turn back VSU

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on April 15, 2014 1:48 PM

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MOUNT OLIVE -- Jay Gonzalez collected four hits and two RBI, and No. 19-ranked University of Mount Olive claimed a come-from-behind, 9-6 victory over Virginia State University on Monday afternoon.

Rob Shipman added two hits and two RBI.

Mount Olive (34-11 overall) scored in every inning, except the sixth and seventh. But the Trojans' eighth-inning at-bat was the most important during their regular-season home finale.

Clinging to a 7-6 lead, Gonzalez connected on a lead-off triple that rolled to the wall. Chase Edwards walked, stole second and stayed there when Bradon Reitano drew a free pass.

Shipman plated Gonzalez with a fielder's choice. Justin Manning provided an RBI to make it 9-6.

VSU went quietly in the ninth.

The Trojans return to action Saturday at Conference Carolinas foe North Greenville (S.C.) University. Two victories assure UMO of the No. 1 seed for the season-ending conference tournament in Burlington.

Women's lacrosse

MOUNT OLIVE -- National vote-getting Dowling College rallied past the University of Mount Olive, 12-10, in a non-conference women's lacrosse match contested at Amon Field on Monday evening.

The teams dedicated the contest to "Team Molly," in honor of Molly Safritz, who played at Buffalo State (N.Y.) College from 2007-11 and lost her two-year battle with Ewing Sarcoma, a rare bone cancer. Proceeds from special warm-up shirts benefit the Roswell Cancer Research Center in Buffalo.

Thirty teams nationwide honored Safritz this season.

Michelle Fortier emerged as Mount Olive's top scorer with three goals. Riann Daziel, Candace Corkin and Katie McGovern provided two goals apiece.

The Trojans (10-5 overall) conclude regular-season play at home Wednesday against former conference foe Coker (S.C.) College.