ETTRICK, VA (April 5, 2021) – After missing five - straight games, the Virginia State University Trojans will pack up and head down to Nationally Ranked, #7 Mt Olive University (24 - 6) to partake in the battle of the Trojans. 
 
 
Weekend Schedule

Game One- Tuesday, April 5, 2021
Virginia State University at Mt. Olive University
4 p.m. *Mt. Olive, NC* Scarborough Field 
Projected Starter Game One: VSU RHP Jeremiah Hardy (1-1, 2.70 ERA)
 
 
Last time out

Virginia State will look to end their five-game losing streak this Saturday as the Trojans head down south to Mt. Olive, NC to take on Mount Olive University. VSU dropped all four games of the weekend series against Bluefield State College, with three of the four loses by just one point.
 
Game one saw two pitchers who woke up feeling dangerous as BSC's Austin Stambaugh and VSU's Jeremiah Hardy combined for 11 strikeouts and just 11 hits. Bluefield State scored two runs between the first and third innings then, VSU struck back with two runs of their own in the bottom of the fourth inning to tie the score at 2-2. BSU would take the lead in the top of the sixth inning and held the Trojans scoreless in the last two innings which would make the score 2-3. While pitching a great game, Hardy also turned in a multi-hit game going 2-3.
In the second game, the Big Blue played no games with the Trojans, scoring nine runs over the first two innings. BSC would go on to score five more runs to make the score 14-0 at the top of the sixth inning. The Trojans would not be held scoreless thanks to a single into left center off the bat of Joshua Tayman and a single into left field by Emmett Jefferson. Bluefield State scored one more run in the top of the seventh inning to make the final score 15-2.
 
In game three, the Big Blue would get off to a hot start again as they were able to score three runs in the top of the first inning but the Trojans would strike back at the bottom of the first inning with a run of their own to make the score 3-1 heading into the second inning. At the top of the fourth inning, VSU would get hot, scoring three runs in the fourth inning thanks to two errors and a bases loaded walk to give Virginia State the lead 4-3. The very next inning, Bluefield State would push past a run to tie the score at 4-4. BSC took the lead in the top of the 7^th inning thanks to a Kevin Moxey single. After a scoreless half inning from the Trojans, Bluefield State took game three of the series 5-4. Virginia State had five players record a hit while Aaron Harris, Cecil Henderson, Joshua Tayman and Chase Moore were responsible for bringing in all four of VSU's. Robert Hatcher took the loss despite his solid performance after the first inning.
 
The last game of the series did not disappoint. Nick Workman of BSC and Nick Woolfolk of VSU were pretty much untouchable as they both had their stuff working throughout the entirety of game four. The two only gave up 4 hits apiece and maintained a combined 7-6 Strikeout/Walk ratio. Both teams scored a run in the second inning to make the score 1-1 until the top of the seventh inning when the Big Blue scored the go-ahead run to make the final score 2-1.
 
 
News and Notes

• The Trojans have been seeing the ball pretty well recently as they now have four hitters upholding a .300 or better batting average.
• Joshua Tayman has three multi-hit games and leads the team with a .409 batting average.
• VSU has five players that have at least two extra-base hits on the season.
• Joshua Tayman and Cecil Henderson lead the team with eight RBI.
• Emmett Jefferson has shot up to second on the team in hitting as he totes a .375 batting average.
• Carl Granderson, Kevin Russell and Cecil Henderson have scored 21 of the teams 41 runs this season.
• Nick Woolfolk, Robert Hatcher and Jeremiah Hardy have held batters to under a .300 batting average this season.
• Kevin Russell has reached base in all eight games this season.  

 
 
About Mt Olive University 

Mt Olive enters play on a nine - game win streak which seats them firmly in the drivers seat of Conference Carolina, a conference that features two teams in the top - 25 . The Trojans are currently ranked number seven in the nation and also uphold a winning percentage of .800. UMO ranks within the top 25 teams in the nation in Hits (7th), Walks (13th), Home runs (23rd) and Shutouts (3rd). Their best game came in a 23-3 win against Chowan which saw 17 Hits, 19 RBI and seven Strikeouts. They currently outscore their opponents 234 - 93. In the batter's box Mt. Olive has a guy swinging an extremely hot bat in Patierno Vito who averages a ridiculous .467at the plate. The slugger has 14 multi - hit games on the year and has scored the most runs on the team with 30. The Trojans also, have two guys in Stephen Baughan and Gunner Tolson who have put six pitches over the fence in the 2021 season. Jack Casbarro will be a tough out on the base paths as he has swiped 12 of 12 bags. What's unique about this team is the production of the guys who aren't everyday starters as four guys on the bench average .300 or better at the plate. VSU will be facing a two - headed monster on the mound in Reed Paris and Hunter Stevens who've both pitched at least 40 innings individually, yet, maintain an ERA under 2.0. The two combine for 91 Strikeouts and have only given up 20 runs. UMO has one of the stronger bullpen's in the nation as Harrison Aiken, Austin Elliot and Carson Hinnant have only given up one hit as a group. The relievers have sent eight batters packing while only walking three. The Trojans also feature 20 guys who have yet to make an error. 

  
Next Five Games

• April 8^th vs. Thomas Nelson College (DH)
• April 10^th at Bluefield State College (DH)
• April 13^th vs. Barton College
• April 15^th at Mid-Atlantic Christian University
• April 17th vs. Salem International (DH)

 
 
Up Next

Following this mid - week game, the Trojans will be back at home to take on Thomas Nelson College in a doubleheader Thursday, April 8.


Watch the game live by clicking the link provided below.

https://conferencecarolinasdn.com/umo/

 
 
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