DUNCAN, S.C. – The Barton softball team (22-29) saw its 2026 season come to an end with a 5-2 loss to rival Mount Olive (28-23) in a play-in game Thursday morning at the 2026 Conference Carolinas Championship in Tyger River Park.
The seventh-seeded Trojans advance to take on second-seeded Young Harris (31-15) later today at 4:00 p.m. Barton was the 10th seed in the tournament.
Mount Olive's Brianna Verme (Goldsboro, N.C.) had a two-run single in the fifth inning to stretch the lead out to five runs while Alex Steen (Cheraw, S.C.) (16-7) earned the complete game victory.
Steen allowed just one earned run while striking out nine batters in the triumph.
For Barton, senior second baseman
Madison Mercer (Wilson, N.C.) finished with a pair of hits and an RBI while freshman
Haley Inman (Stokesdale, N.C.) (10-12) was tagged with the setback.
