Division II SE Regional -- Trojans taking 'business-like' approach

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on May 9, 2014 1:48 PM

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DAHLONEGA, Ga. -- That heart-to-heart meeting after a disappointing doubleheader loss in early April seems like a distant memory for the University of Mount Olive softball team.

But that discussion, which occurred one month ago, has spawned a new chapter in the program's history book.

The Trojans dropped two games to Conference Carolinas rival King (Tenn.), which stirred some emotions and led to an impromptu gathering. Tension flowed from their veins as the players honestly voiced their frustrations.

"We had a long talk," UMO head coach Jaime Kylis said. "Stuff had to change and it had to come from them. I think that they realized there is so much history of success in the program, and they just had to believe they were capable of winning.

"It would have been easy to roll over and call it a season, but they didn't."

UMO pulled itself up by the bootstraps and has been unbeatable in its last 10 outings. The Trojans (24-24 overall) put their season-high win streak on the line today at No. 4-ranked North Georgia (43-9) in opening-round play of the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional I tournament.

At-large invitees and South Atlantic in-state rivals Wingate (36-18) and Lenoir-Rhyne (39-13) played the early game. The four-team, double-elimination event continues through Sunday with the winner advancing to the super regionals.

"The whole (Southeast) regional, we've played everybody but Anderson and had great outings against those schools," Kylis said. "We know all of these teams. Granted, some teams change as they progress through the season just like we have. It's a comfortable matchup."

North Georgia defeated UMO 3-0 during the Mid-South Classic in late February. The Nighthawks' Courtney Poole threw a two-hitter and fanned nine Trojans inside the circle.

Poole and bullpen mate Victoria Sink have combined for all 43 wins and nearly 250 strikeouts inside the circle. Poole has a 1.75 ERA, while Sink's is 2.06.

The Nighthawks have 16 shutouts this season.

"They're your standard Peach Belt girls ... big with strong pitching and great hitting," Kylis said. "They're a typical strong Peach Belt team, but with the schedule that we've had this season, it's not anything we haven't seen. We know we can put runs up against them, can hit their pitching and our record just doesn't show it."

Mount Olive logged a 3-11 worksheet against PBC teams this spring that including victories over Flagler, UNC Pembroke and Francis Marion. The Trojans are 35-81 all-time against the PBC since 1995.

Kylis and her players understand Conference Carolinas gets little respect in the region. That's just extra incentive for a team that already has a chip on its shoulder and has developed a dangerous, confident swagger within the last month.

The Trojans have scored six or more runs in seven of their last 10 outings, posted four shutouts and beaten two opponents by the eight-run mercy rule. They're batting .294 as a team with seven players hitting .300 or higher.

The key change has occurred inside the circle.

Senior right-hander Carly White turned in a phenomenal MVP performance during the Conference Carolinas tournament. She won all four games and is 7-0 with a no-decision in her last eight starts.

White has three quality arms -- all rested -- to support her.

"Carly will start (today) with the way she's been throwing recently and the way she's been moving the ball," Kylis said. "There's not much information out there about her, so that's going to help her. We're hitting the ball better, so that gives us more to look forward to going into the game.

"These kids almost feel like they've got something to prove. It's more work now and business. We know how to go in and handle ourselves now after we got bounced twice (in the regional) last year."