MOC softball
By MOC Sports Information
Published in Sports on April 12, 2010 1:46 PM
BANNER ELK -- Sasha Snyder allowed no earned runs in a combined 71/3 innings of relief and Mount Olive College swept in-state rival Lees-McRae on the Conference Carolinas softball scene Sunday afternoon.
Aubrey Reinhard supplied the game-winning hit in the opener, a 6-5 victory. Ericka Taylor drove in the go-ahead run in game two, which resulted in a 7-5 triumph.
The Trojans (22-26 overall, 11-8 CC) qualified for the season-ending conference tournament, which begins Friday in Hartsville, S.C. Seedings and first-round pairings for the double-elimination event will be announced later this week.
MOC seized a 5-0 lead in the opener on Robbin Kennedy's three-run home run and Reinhard's two-RBI, third-inning homer. The duo has combined for seven round-trippers this season.
The Bobcats tied the game at 5-5 and the Trojans regained the lead in the fifth inning. Kayla Voorhees legged out an infield single and pinch-runner Kelly Bowen hustled home on Reinhard's base knock to the left side.
Snyder (5-3) took over with two outs in the bottom of the third and pitched 31/3 hitless innings, retiring the final eight batters she faced. Kristin Ware pitched the seventh inning and picked up her third save of the season.
Lees-McRae seized a 5-3 advantage in the nightcap.
MOC tied the game in the fifth inning. Shortstop Kelly Minshew cranked out her team-leading sixth homer of the season and Reinhard followed with a double. Pinch-runner Danielle Mitchell, a Princeton High alum, touched the plate on Taylor's single.
Reinhard and Kennedy each singled, which put runners on the corner, in the seventh inning. Taylor plated Reinhard with a base hit to right field and Kennedy added an insurance run on Allison Czerski's RBI groundout.
Snyder took over in the fourth and held Lees-McRae scoreless the remainder of the game. Snyder allowed four hits, striking out three and walking none. Minshew ignited a 6-3 double play to end the bottom of the sixth inning and Snyder retired the side in order in the seventh.
The Trojans conclude regular-season play at home today against in-state foe Chowan University. First pitch is 4 p.m. at Nancy Chapman Cassell Field.