JACOBS FIELD, MOBILE, Ala. - After rain in the Mobile, Ala. area moved the start of a four-game series back two days this past weekend at Jacobs Field, the University of Mobile Baseball team continued the hot start to the 2023 season that the Rams have put together and managed a four-game sweep over Midway University across Sunday and Monday, Feb. 12-13. The four-game sweep is the second-straight on the season for Mobile, with the Rams taking all four games played last weekend against Montreat College. Mobile opened the 2023 campaign with a victory over No. 4 LSU-Shreveport on Jan. 31.
The recent sweep over Midway improved Mobile's overall record on the year to 9-0. The 9-0 start is the best start to a season in program history, with the 1996 UM Baseball team starting the year with a 13-0-1 record, recording a tie just six games into the season. This year, Mobile has played all nine games at home and are set to take the first road trip of the season later this week.
Mobile v. Midway Series Recap
Across two seven-inning doubleheaders played on Sunday and Monday, there were several bright spots for Mobile during the series sweep, but also areas that will need improving going forward on the season. On Sunday afternoon, the Rams mustered two comeback wins, claiming a 6-4 win in game one and 16-15 victory in a high-scoring game two. The following day, the Rams started Monday afternoon off on the right foot with a 9-3 victory, leading for the entire game. However, the nightcap proved to be another high-scoring affair, with Mobile earning another comeback victory by holding off the Eagles of Midway, 17-12.
The Mobile offense was stellar during the four-game series, and has been solid all year long through nine games. Through the first nine games of the season, the bats for Mobile have put together a .367 team batting average, while scoring 84 total runs. In addition, Mobile's on-base percentage currently sits at .462, with the team tallying 36 base-on-balls. Against Midway, the Rams tallied 48 runs alone and worked 20 walks, 11 coming in game two, while finishing with at least 11 hits in all four games played. The Mobile pitching staff on the other hand struggled at time during the series, particularly in the second games of both doubleheaders.
In game two and game four of the Midway series, Mobile's team earned-run-average jumped north 12.50, the only two games on the season where Mobile pitchers saw an ERA in double digits. The Rams were hit for 11 earned runs in game two, while allowing 10 earned runs in the final game of the series. However, pitching put together solid performances in the first and third games, recording sub-four ERAs. On the season, Mobile has a current team ERA at 5.54 through nine games.
Box Score Notables
With Mobile pushing across 48 total runs in four games, there were several Rams who put together eye-popping numbers, including Trevor Andrews, the SSAC Baseball Player of the Week following opening week for Mobile. Andrews continued his incredible start to the season by finishing 7-for-13 at the plate, recording a grand slam in the process. Andrews drove in 14 total runs for Mobile against Midway, giving him a season total of 24 RBIs in nine games. On the season, Andrews is hitting .593, leading Mobile in batting average, home runs (4), RBIs, and doubles (4). Andrews has struck out just four times this year.
Both Trevor Wells and Tucker Musgrove managed to hit .500 against Midway, with Wells finishing 8-for-16 at the plate and Musgrove finishing 6-for-12. Wells recorded his second home run of the season in the series, while tallying six total RBIs across the four games played. Musgrove was joined by Landon Moore in finding success on the base paths, with Musgrove stealing seven bags in the series alone and Moore tallying five steals. Moore joined Wells and Musgrove with a great series batting, hitting above .500 against the Eagles, finishing 6-for-11 at the dish.
On the mound, both Moore and Musgrove picked up their second saves on the season, closing out separate ball games in the series. Moore led Mobile relievers with three appearances on the bump in the series, allowing just three hits in four innings of work. Moore gave up just one earned run in his three games pitched.
Overall, Mobile celebrated another four-game sweep at home on Monday evening, while looking ahead to another four game non-conference series on the horizon.
Mobile Hits the Road
The Rams are set to travel for the first time during the 2023 season, making a trip north to Henderson, Tenn. for a four-game series against Freed-Hardeman University. Freed-Hardeman currently sits just outside the NAIA Baseball Top 25 Coaches' Poll, receiving votes for entry. So far, the Lions are 7-3 on the season and will face the 9-0 Rams on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 17-18 for four games.
Both days will see seven-inning doubleheaders played, with Friday's doubleheader starting at 2:00 p.m. CT and Saturday's beginning at 12:00 p.m. CT.
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.
