MOBILE, Ala. - The top-ranked University of Mobile Softball team hosted and defeated Blue Mountain College in two games on Friday afternoon, Apr. 22, earning the 39th and 40th victories of the season following the doubleheader sweep. Mobile claimed the game one victory by the score of 6-1, while dominating the Toppers in game two, 16-0. The Rams are now 40-2 overall, with a 22-2 SSAC record.
In game one, Mobile's Emily Butts returned to the pitcher's circle and threw her 12th complete game of the season, improving to 17-0 on the year. She allowed just three Blue Mountain hits in game one, the first coming in the fifth inning. Blue Mountain's lone run came across to score on an error in the top of the fifth inning, which went into the scorebook as an unearned run to Butts' name. Following the game one victory, Butts lowered her season ERA to 1.02.
Offensively, the Rams out-hit the Toppers, 9-3. Mobile put together three two-run innings in the ballgame, with Katie Head blasting a no-doubter to left center field in the fourth. Head's two-run home run was her team-leading fifth of the season. Additionally in game two, Chloe Buck drove in Mobile's sixth and final run in the bottom of the fifth off her first triple of the season. Both Buck and Head combined for three of Mobile's six runs.
At the plate, leadoff batter Jaden Morace led the Rams with three hits, finishing 3-for-4. Morace was the only Ram to record multiple hits in the victory, increasing her batting average to well over .400 on the season.
In game two, the Rams earned the run-rule victory in the fifth inning, while displaying why they are one of the best teams in the NAIA. Mobile scored 16 runs off 15 hits in just four innings at the plate. Additionally, Brinkley Goff cruised to a five-inning no-hitter in game two, allowing just three base runners. Goff allowed two walks, a hit-by-pitch, while striking out a total of seven Toppers. She improves to a team-best 18-0, while throwing her 11th complete game of the year. Both Goff and Emily Butts have thrown five-inning no-hitters this season for Mobile.
At the plate, Mobile Head Coach Alison Sellers-Cook sent a total of 19 Rams to take a plate appearance in game two due to Mobile's big lead. Courtney Ellzey drove in a game-high three RBIs in the win with a bases-clearing double to the gap. Ellzey finished with a 2-for-3 line. A total of 10 Rams joined Ellzey in recording at least one RBI in the game two rout, including Mackenzie Jackson, Kaylee Cannon, and Alainah Diaz who all recorded their first RBIs of the season as late entrants into the ballgame.
Overall, the Rams out-hit the Toppers 24-3, while outscoring Blue Mountain, 22-2. The Rams will hope to continue the momentum following Friday's complete domination with the final two games of the 2022 regular season on Saturday, Apr. 23.
Mobile is set to wrap up the regular season with a conference doubleheader at home against Stillman College beginning at 12:00 p.m. CT. Prior to game one, seven seniors from the University of Mobile Softball program will be honored for Senior Day. The Rams can claim the top seed in the upcoming SSAC Softball Championship Tournament tomorrow with a win.
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.
