Trojan softball slips at Invitational

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on March 15, 2004 1:56 PM

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FLORENCE, S.C. -- The Mount Olive softball team posted an 0-5 record over the weekend at the Francis Marion University Patriot Invitational at Florence, S.C. Mount Olive is currently 7-13 on the season.

The Trojans opened tournament play Friday against a pair of nationally ranked teams. In its opener, Mount Olive fell 14-0 to No. 6 North Florida. Melissa Bright and Colleen Thomas both went 1-for-2 for the Trojans. In Friday's nightcap, the Trojans fell 8-1 to 24th-ranked and last year's national runner-up Georgia College and State. The game was tied 1-1 before Georgia College and State broke the game open with a four-run third inning.

Mount Olive played three games Saturday, starting with an 8-0 loss to UNC Pembroke. Starting pitcher Shauna Cowdrey took a shutout into the fifth inning before UNCP broke a scoreless tie with four runs in the fifth and four in the sixth.

The Trojans' bats came alive against Lander before losing a slugfest 10-8. Mount Olive scored three runs in the first inning and led 4-0 before Lander came back with seven unanswered runs to take a 7-4. The Trojans regained the lead 8-7 with four runs in the top of the fourth, but Lander tied the game in the bottom of the inning. Lander took the lead for good with two runs in the bottom of the fifth. Sam Beavers, Liz Recny and Erin Wilson had two hits apiece for the Trojans. Mount Olive fell 13-1 to USC-Aiken in the Trojans' final game of the tournament.

Mount Olive returns to action Tuesday as the Trojans play host to UNC Pembroke in a non-conference doubleheader. Game time is 2 p.m. at Nancy Chapman Cassell Field.