Florence, S.C. (April 12) – The University of Mount Olive softball team gave it their all but couldn’t quite topple No. 4 ranked Francis Marion in a tough doubleheader on Saturday. The Trojans narrowly lost Game 1 in a nail-biter, 6-5, before the Patriots pulled away for a 9-1 run-rule win in Game 2.

Mount Olive (23-21, 13-11 Conf.) now awaits their seeding fate for the Conference Carolinas tournament, while red-hot Francis Marion (39-3, 19-1 Conf.) extended their jaw-dropping win streak to 18 games.

Game 1 Drama
The Trojans roared back from a 6-0 deficit with a sixth-inning rally powered by Laci Best’s clutch two-run double and Brittany Stephens’ bomb over the left field fence. Bri Verme added a solo homer in the seventh to close the gap to just one run, but the comeback fell just short with the tying run stranded at second.

Game 2 Struggles
Mount Olive kept it close early with an RBI single from Samantha Taylor, but Francis Marion’s power game proved too much. Two separate three-run homers—one in the fourth and another in the fifth—sealed a 9-1 run-rule win for the Patriots.

Despite the losses, Verme had a solid day at the plate, going 2-for-2 in Game 2, and Taylor chipped in a pair of hits as well.

What’s Next?
The Trojans won’t have much time to dwell—they’re right back at it Sunday with a non-conference doubleheader against Wingate starting at 1 p.m.