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MOUNT OLIVE - The visiting UNC Pembroke softball team took advantage of quick runs in the first inning to clinch the lead and put the game away after scoring four runs in the sixth to rout the Mount Olive, 9-1, on Tuesday in the first game of the region doubleheader at Nancy Chapman Field.

The Braves (25-21) extended their winning streak to three games with the victory, while the loss halted a six-game winning streak for Mount Olive (28-17).

Freshman Jamie Johnson logged a 3-for-4 performance from the plate with a run and RBI as juniors Whitney Jackson and Morgan Davis along with senior Kaytee Wilson posted a pair of hits. Both Brea Hartley and Taylor Gerhart crossed home plate twice. Four different Trojans notched a hit during the contest with Kristin Power putting the only run on the board for Mount Olive with her homer in the third inning.

Junior Katie Saunders (16-13) struck out six batters in her six innings of work and gave up one earned run on just four hits in 23 batters faced. The California native pitched to a mere three batters in the first, second and sixth innings.

Maddison Johnston (15-4) suffered the loss in the middle as she allowed eight runs (six earned) on 11 hits, before she was relieved by Kayleigh Jonas for the final three outs.

The Braves opened the first inning with three quick runs as three hits and an error brought home Hartley, Gerhart and Megan Hillard for the 3-0 lead. Wilson opened up the second inning with a singled and was sent home on Johnson's basehit, before Davis started off the third inning with a bunt to reach first and scored on a wild pitch.

Following Power's home run in the third, UNCP chipped in another four runs in the sixth with Jackon's double, Johnson and Hartley's singles and Gerhart walking before Hillard's sacrifice bunt and Davis's groundout to end the contest early with the 9-1 victory.