MOBILE, Ala. - For just the second time during the 2022 season, the University of Mobile Softball team hosted a doubleheader at the UM Softball Field. Mobile began the 2022 season campaign on Feb. 9 with a doubleheader at home and followed that by playing 14-straight games on the road before returning home on Thursday, Mar. 10 to begin conference play. Mobile hosted the Brewton-Parker Barons on Thursday to open up SSAC action and used the sixth inning of both games to score go-ahead runs and eventually sweep BPC to remain perfect at 18-0 on the season.
Mobile entered the conference doubleheader ranked No. 8 in the latest NAIA Softball Top 25 Coaches' Poll after beginning the season ranked outside the top 25. In game one, Mobile scored two early runs in the first inning and later added on with their third run of the game in the bottom half of the fourth. Mobile starting pitcher Emily Butts cruised through the first four innings against Brewton-Parker, but struggled in the fifth, allowing the Barons three runs to tie the game. With the score tied 3-3, Mobile's bats came alive in the sixth inning, scoring five runs in the inning alone. The Rams went on the defeat Brewton-Parker 8-3 in game one of the evening doubleheader.
Freshman Avery Johnston was awarded the win in game one after relieving Butts in the fifth inning by stranding the bases loaded. Johnston did not allow a base runner in her 2 1/3 innings of work and struck out two. Emily Butts finished with a line of 4 2/3 innings of work, allowing three runs off five hits. She struck out two and walked another batter.
On the offensive side, senior Jaden Morace came up big late, driving in two with her third double of the season in the sixth inning. Prior to Morace's two-run double off the left field wall, she was 0-for-3 at the plate. Mobile newcomers Caitlin McRee and Madilyn Sheffield each had two hits in the game one victory with Sheffield adding a walk in the game. Both players recorded one RBI against Brewton-Parker.
In game two, it was a pitcher's dual through the first six innings as each team scored just one run entering the bottom half of the sixth. Brinkley Goff was awarded the game two start for Mobile and allowed just two hits in the game. Brewton-Parker hit the scoreboard first in game two with their lone run scoring in the third inning. The run came across to score following an error and was a unearned run to Goff's name.
In the bottom half of the third, Mobile answered with a run of their own. Jaden Morace smoked a double to right center field, scoring Kristen Black all the way from first base. On the season, Morace now has 10 extra-base hits. Later in the game, Mobile managed to push across two runs in the sixth inning and eventually won the game, 3-1. Caitlin McRee led off the sixth with a double and later scored following an infield RBI single by Eila Infante. After Hannah Halfacre came in the game to run for Infante, Courtney Ellzey drove Halfacre in with a sacrifice fly.
The Rams used the sixth inning of both games Thursday night to eventually sweep Brewton-Parker and improve to 18-0 on the year. Brinkley Goff pitched a complete game in the second game, finishing with six strikeouts. Goff moves to 5-0 from the pitcher's circle this year.
Mobile will host another conference doubleheader this weekend at the UM Softball Field as Middle Georgia State comes to town. Mobile and Middle Georgia State are scheduled to square off at 12:00 p.m. CT on Saturday, Mar. 12, however, rain forecasted for late Friday night in the Mobile, Ala. area could potentially push the doubleheader start time back to the later afternoon hours on Saturday.
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.
For information about the University of Mobile, areas of study, admissions and more, visit umobile.edu, connect with UM on social media @univofmobile, or call Enrollment Services at 1.800.WIN.RAMS or 251.442.2222.
