Rams Drop Season Opener On Saturday; Bounce Back With Doubleheader Sweep Over SkyHawks on Sunday
MOBILE, Ala. - Baseball is finally back at Jacobs Field as the University of Mobile Baseball program, led by second-year head coach Jon Seymour, opened the 2021 season at home in a three-game series against the SkyHawks of Point University. Mobile fell, 6-5 in extra innings to Point in the season opener on Saturday, Feb. 6, but bounced back to grab a doubleheader sweep over the SkyHawks on Sunday, Feb. 7 to win the series, 2-1.
The Rams were ranked no. 20 in the NAIA Baseball Coaches' Preseason poll to begin the year and Point is currently receiving votes to crack the top 25. Both teams knew that the season opening series at Jacobs Field would be competitive.
Originally, the opening weekend series was scheduled to feature three teams, including the no. 1 team in the nation, Southeastern University. However, Southeastern pulled out of the weekend series last minute citing travel and weather concerns and Jon Seymour was forced to adjust the schedule. Seymour and Point Head Coach John Tyler eventually agreed to play three games, one nine-inning game on Saturday, a day later than originally scheduled due to weather, and a doubleheader on Sunday.
Opening Weekend Series Recap
In game one of the series, Mobile sturggled with the bats, only scoring one run in the first eight innings. Point managed to score two runs in the first eight innings, but opened their lead up with a three-run 9th inning. Trailing by four runs heading into the bottom half of the 9th, Mobile's bats came alive as the Rams scored four runs to tie the game at five and send the game into extra innings.
In the 10th inning, Point scored one run and eventually closed the door on the Rams in the bottom half of the 10th. The SkyHawks came away with the season opening win in 10 innings, 6-5, upsetting the no. 20 Rams. Freshman Sean Mason (FR/Mobile, Ala.) was handed the loss for Mobile and Zachary Presnall (SR/Satsuma, Ala.) led the charge for the Rams offensively, finishing 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI, R.
On Sunday afternoon, Mobile hoped to bounce back against Point in doubleheader action. Bounce back they did as true-freshman starter Tucker Musgrove (FR/Semmes, Ala.) was lights out on the mound for Mobile in game one. In his collegiate debut, Musgrove pitch 5 1/3 innings of work, holding Point scoreless and allowing just two hits while striking out four.
Offensively, the bats were much better for Mobile than the day before as the Rams managed to score seven runs in six innings. Blake Roberts (JR/Semmes, AL) homered (1) for his and the team's first home run of the season for Mobile. Roberts' three-run homer gave Mobile insurance late in the 5th inning.
Kyle White (SO/Trinity, Fla.) made his debut for Mobile from out of the bullpen in the 7th inning as he worked a scoreless and hitless frame while striking out two to help Mobile earn their first victory of the 2021 season in seven innings, shutting out the SkyHawks, 7-0.
Later that afternoon, Mobile and Point squared off in a nine-inning rubber match for the series. Mobile's offense stayed hot as the team recorded 13 hits in the game. Point scored the first run in the top of the 2nd inning, but the Rams quickly tied the game in the bottom half off of Bailey Bannon (SR/Mobile, Ala.)'s solo homer (1). Later in the 3rd inning, the Rams took the lead scoring two runs off three hits.
Point managed to come back and tie the game at three runs a piece in the 5th inning, but Dalton Rone (JR/Theodore, AL)'s RBI single gave Mobile the lead right back in the bottom of the 5th, 4-3.
Later in the 7th inning, Trent Avery (SO/Mobile, AL) launched a two-run homer (1) for Mobile to extend the Rams' lead. Point scored one run in the 9th inning, but Bailey Bannon came in from playing centerfield to get the final out on the mound and earn the save, earning Mobile the series victory over Point to begin the season. Mobile won the series finale, 6-4. Bannon recorded a home run and save in the win, a rarity in the game of baseball.
Bannon finished with a line of 2-4, HR, RBI, R, SB, SV in the game two victory. Trent Avery finished going 2-4, HR, 3 RBI, R. Thomas James (SO/Saraland, Ala.) was awarded the win from out of the bullpen as he pitched three innings of work, allowing just one run and one hit and striking out four.
Mobile begins the 2021 season 2-1 after the series win.
Back At Jacobs Field Next Weekend
Mobile is scheduled to host Talladega College in a non-conference four-game series on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 12-13 with a doubleheader scheduled for 1:00 p.m. CT each day.
About the University of Mobile
The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered liberal arts and sciences institution with a vision of higher education for a higher purpose, founded to honor God by equipping students for their future professions through rigorous academic preparation and spiritual transformation. Core values are: Christ-Centered, Academically-Focused, Student-Devoted and Distinctively-Driven. The university offers on-campus and online bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in over 75 academic programs. Founded in 1961, the University of Mobile is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention and is located 10 miles north of Mobile, Alabama on a campus of over 880 acres.
