COLUMBUS, Ga. - The 2022 University of Mobile Softball team will play for the program's second NAIA Softball National Championship trophy on Wednesday, June 1 following a 10-inning victory over the University of Science & Arts (Okla.) on Tuesday night, May 31. The Rams defeated the Drovers of USAO 4-3, using a comeback to earn the win. Mobile will battle Oklahoma City University on Wednesday for the national title at the South Commons Softball Complex in Columbus, Ga.
How It Happened
Riding a high of a walk-off victory in 10 innings against Southeastern earlier in the afternoon, the Drovers' offense showed early pop in the bottom of the first inning with a two-run home run off Mobile starting pitcher Brinkley Goff. Kristen Black made a great effort at the left field foul pole, but the ball bounced off the outstretched glove to put USAO up two runs.
Mobile responded in the top of the second as Courtney Ellzey scored on a wild pitch to cut the deficit in half, 2-1. However, USAO plated what proved to be a pivotal insurance run for the Drovers with an RBI double to extend the lead back to two runs. Mobile's Emily Butts then relieved Brinkley Goff in the pitcher's circle and pitched the remainder of the game.
The Rams came all the way back in the top of the third when Jaden Morace bounced an RBI single up the middle to score Kristen Black. With the deficit sitting at just one run in the third, Caitlin McRee reached on an infield error, which allowed Morace to cross the plate and tie the game at three runs a piece. From there, the game remained tied 3-3 for the next six innings after six runs were scored during the first three innings.
In the top of the seventh inning, history was made as Jaden Morace tied the single-season program record with her 83rd hit of the season. Morace now shares the single-season hits record at Mobile with former Ram and head coach, Terri McCormick, who set the record in 1996. Morace was the lone Ram to record multiple hits on Tuesday, finishing 2-for-5 at the plate.
With the score still tied 3-3, the Rams took their first lead of the game as Eila Infante singled-home the game winner in the top of the 10th inning to eventually win it for Mobile. Kaylee Pullin got the inning started with a double and eventually scored the winning run. Emily Butts pitched a scoreless bottom of the 10th, stranding the tying run at second base to close out the game and earn the victory from the circle. Butts improves to 25-1 this year.
Tuesday's win advances Mobile's overall season record to 52-3 on the year.
On Deck: 2022 NAIA Softball National Championship
The 52-3 Rams will go for the program's second NAIA Softball World Series Red Banner on Wednesday afternoon and will have to defeat the 53-6 Oklahoma City Stars twice to do so due to double-elimination rules. Oklahoma City advanced to the championship final undefeated at 3-0, including a 1-0 win over Mobile on Monday night. OCU will need just one win over the Rams to earn this year's trophy.
The Rams last won the NAIA Softball National Championship in 2006 in Decatur, Ala., with a 4-1 victory over former NAIA member, California Baptist. The Rams have finished as runners-up twice in both 2003 and 2008.
First pitch on Wednesday is set for 5:00 p.m. EST / 4:00 p.m. CST and will be broadcasted live on ESPN 3.
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.
