Box Score by Benny Benton
BURLINGTON, N.C. – Barton College was bumped from the 2016 Conference Carolinas Softball Tournament on Friday after losing a 1-0 decision to University of Mount Olive at Springwood Park.
The eighth-seeded Lady Bulldogs managed just three hits in suffering the loss that ended their season at 21-26.
Mount Olive (31-19), the tournament's No. 3 seed, scored the game's only run in the bottom of the fourth on a one-out double by Caitlin Ewers. The hit came after Kristin Power reached base on a BC error and moved into scoring position on a walk.
The unearned run handed senior pitcher Liz White (11-14) another tough-luck loss. In what would turn out to be her final start for the Lady Bulldogs, the Windsor, N.C., resident scattered seven hits, walked two and struck out eight.
Three times in the game the Trojans advanced at least one runner into scoring position with one out, only to see White deliver consecutive strikeouts to escape the jam.
Mount Olive pitcher Julie Hodges (12-6) took a no-hitter into the fourth inning that was broken up by a leadoff single to center from Rachel Jordan. Taylor Bowden followed with a bunt single, but a popped-up bunt turned into a double play, and Hodges used another pop-up to third to get out of the inning.
Barton's only other hit came courtesy of Samantha Bass to lead off the fifth. Bass reached second on an error but was left stranded there.
The loss completes the collegiate careers of four seniors - White, Bass, Jordan and Crystal Britton.
