MOBILE, Ala. - The University of Mobile Softball team defeated William Woods University 8-2 on Tuesday night, Mar. 8 to improve to 16-0 on the 2022 season. The game was held at the University of South Alabama softball complex after the UM Softball Field was deemed unplayable due to recent rain received over the last two days in the north Mobile area. Originally, the Rams were scheduled to play two games at home on Tuesday afternoon against two different non-conference opponents. However, the schedule was adjusted by Mobile Head Coach Alison Sellers-Cook on Tuesday following the location and time change. Mobile's scheduled game against Thomas More University was canceled.
In Tuesday night's win, Mobile center fielder Jaden Morace led off the bottom of the first inning with a deep triple to left field. Morace later scored following a two-out single from catcher Madilyn Sheffield. In her next at-bat in the third, Morace tripled again to lead off the inning, this time to deep center field, and later scored Mobile's second run following a sacrifice fly from Kaylee Pullin. The Rams took a 2-0 lead to the fourth inning.
In the top of the fourth, the Owls of William Woods managed to tie the game with two runs of their own, chasing Mobile starting pitcher Emily Butts from the game. Butts finished with a line of 3 2/3 innings pitched while striking out five. One of Butts' two runs was earned in the fourth. Brinkley Goff came in from the bullpen for Butts and stranded the bases loaded to limit the damage.
In the bottom half of the fourth inning, the Rams answered with a six-run inning with three runs coming off of Kaylee Pullin's team-leading third home run of the season. Courtney Ellzey also mixed in a two-run double in the inning while Ashlyn Stewart recorded a RBI single. From there, Brinkley Goff cruised from the pitcher's circle for Mobile, not allowing another base runner in the game. Goff struck out six batters in her 3 1/3 hitless innings of work and improved her season record to 4-0.
Mobile's victory over William Woods on Tuesday continues the special start to the 2022 season for the Rams, remaining undefeated while out-scoring opponents, 126-22. Mobile is hitting .373 as a team on the season while slugging .518. Additionally, the Rams' on-base percentage is .411. From the pitcher's circle, Mobile's team ERA between three pitchers currently sits below two at 1.36.
In the NAIA Softball Top 25 Coaches' Preseason Poll, Mobile was ranked outside the top 25 to start the year, receiving just a few votes from several coaches in the NAIA. The first softball poll of the season is scheduled to be released tomorrow by the NAIA and Mobile is expected to make a massive climb in the rankings.
The Rams are scheduled to begin conference play at home this upcoming weekend with a doubleheader against Brewton-Parker scheduled for Friday, Mar. 11 and a doubleheader against Middle Georgia State scheduled for Saturday, Mar. 12. However, more rain is forecasted for the Mobile, Ala. area throughout the week and those doubleheaders could be postponed a day or so. Stay tuned to all University of Mobile Athletics social media channels for updates as they come in for this weekend's schedule. For questions, please contact University of Mobile Director of Sports Information David Haney at dhaney@umobile.edu.
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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.
