MOBILE, Ala. - On a cold and windy afternoon in Mobile, Ala., the University of Mobile Softball team continued to their dominance during the 2022 season by sweeping the visiting Middle Georgia State Knights on Saturday, Mar. 12. The doubleheader sweep improves Mobile's overall record to 20-0 while advancing the Rams' conference record to 4-0 as the Rams currently rank No. 8 in the NAIA.
In game one, freshman Avery Johnston was awarded the start in the pitcher's circle to begin the afternoon. Johnston struggled to find the strike zone in the first inning, allowing three to reach via base-on-balls while allowing one hit in the inning. Emily Butts came in to pitch for the Rams after Johnston did not record an out in the first inning and allowed three Middle Georgia State runs to cross the plate. Mobile's offense picked up the rough first inning by pushing across two runs in the first and second innings with an insurance run being scored in the third.
Emily Butts was dominant since coming in from the bullpen for Mobile as she allowed just one hit in seven innings of work while striking out seven batters. The early scare from Middle Georgia quickly evaporated as the Rams earned a 5-3 victory in game one.
Center fielder Jaden Morace led the Rams in hits with three, finishing 3-for-4 with one RBI. Caitlin McRee finished 2-for-4 at the dish in game one and scored one of Mobile's five runs. Eila Infante, Kristen Black, and Carleigh Bowden each recorded one RBI in the victory as Bowden made a diving slide in the first inning to score Mobile's second run of the game. Bowden's great hustle and slide gave her an RBI infield single, but forced her to leave the game with a finger injury. Following the game one win, the Rams hoped to carry momentum in game two later that afternoon.
Game two was pure dominance for the Rams as Brinkley Goff pitched 5 1/3 innings of shutout ball for Mobile. Goff allowed three hits and recorded four strikeouts before being replaced by Sydnee Fitzgerald, who made her collegiate debut from the pitcher's circle for Mobile. Fitzgerald finished the game by pitching 1 2/3 hitless innings for the Rams as Mobile cruised to their second win of the day, 5-0.
Kaylee Pullin collected three RBI in the game two win, finishing 2-for-4 at the plate. Pullin drove in two with a double in the third inning and followed that with an RBI single in the fifth. Caitlin McRee and Madilyn Sheffield were responsible for Mobile's other two RBI as McRee hit a sacrifice fly in the fifth with Sheffield coming through with an RBI single up the middle later in the inning.
After the Rams finished the week 5-0, with four of those wins being against conference opponents, Mobile returns to non-conference action this Wednesday, Mar. 16 before hitting the road for four conference games this upcoming weekend. Mobile will host Crowleys Ridge College for a non-conference doubleheader beginning at 2:00 p.m. CT and then will travel to Blue Mountain, Miss. and Tuscaloosa, Ala. this weekend for conference doubleheaders against Blue Mountain College and Stillman College.
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.
