Greenwood, S.C. - Dane Derstine hit his second three run home run in as many games, Jason Beaumont struck out six in five innings and the Lynn University baseball team took advantage of two big errors to knock off No. 5 Mount Olive 7-5 on Friday night. Derstine drove in five runs as the Fighting Knights improved to 3-1 overall.
It didn't take long for the Blue & White to take advantage of the first Mount Olive error on the night. A gaffe by the Trojans third baseman Jacob Rogers on the second play in the bottom of the first allowed Wes Soto to reach first with one out. After Anthony Boza singled to put runners on first and second, Eric Herrera grounded into what should have been an inning-ending fielder's choice. Instead with frame kept alive, Derstine smashed his second bomb of the season, a three-run shot to left field to put Lynn ahead 3-0.
Another Mount Olive misplay and continued patience at the plate by the Knights brought home three more runs in the second. Herrera drew a bases loaded walk while Derstine knocked around two more runs when he belted a 3-1 single into right field.
Beaumont (1-0) was downright nasty on the hill, striking out the side in both the second and fourth innings. He allowed just one run on four hits before being pulled in the sixth for Sam Jones.
After the Trojans (3-1) made it 6-1 in the top of the sixth, LU added some cushion in the home half. Alex Bello doubled to start the frame and Austin Smith drove him home with a two-out single, putting Lynn on top 7-1.
The Knights ran into some trouble in the seventh, though, as Mount Olive mounted a comeback with four runs. Corey Adelman started the inning, but after getting two strikeouts surrendered four runs, two of which came off an LU error. Ryan Digiose came in to squash the rally and after throwing a wild pitch and walking a batter, settled down to strike out Antonio Callaway.
Jason Whelan pitched a perfect eighth and ninth, posting one strikeout, for his first career save.
Derstine has a team-high 10 runs batted in through four games after recording 28 RBIs in 54 games last year.
The Fighting Knights return to action on Saturday at 3 p.m. when they square-off against Lander. Fans can follow the action through live stats at www.LynnFightingKnights.com by selecting "Game Central."
