JACOBS FIELD, MOBILE, Ala. - The University of Mobile Baseball team put together a fantastic week to begin the 2023 season, earning five wins in a row at Jacobs Field to start the year 5-0. The Rams managed to upset the fourth-ranked LSU-Shreveport Pilots in the season opener this past Tuesday night, Jan. 31, and followed that impressive win with a four-game sweep over Montreat College on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 3-4. On Saturday, the Mobile pitching and defense shut down the Montreat offense, allowing just two total runs for the Cavaliers across both games of the series-ending doubleheader. The Rams earned a 3-0 victory in game one, while defeating Montreat 13-2 in game two in front of a packed Jacobs Field.
On Saturday afternoon at Jacobs Field, the UM Baseball program welcomed back past Rams for Alumni Saturday. Numerous former players at Mobile, along with families, made their way back to Jacobs Field and were celebrated throughout the day. Included in those returning were J.C. Romero, World Series winning pitcher with the 2008 Philadelphia Phillies, and Joe Espada, World Series winning bench coach for the current Houston Astros. In addition, the family of Coach Mike Jacobs were in attendance as Coach Jacobs, Romero, Espada, and the late Scott Vereen were all honored between games. Following Saturday's doubleheader, an alumni dinner was put on by the University of Mobile Alumni Department.
Game One Recap: Mobile 3, Montreat 0 - 7 Innings
With a packed crowd in attendance, the Rams looked to earn two more wins on the field to sweep the Montreat Cavaliers in four games. Mobile started quickly with an early run in the bottom of the first inning following a sacrifice fly by Trevor Andrews. Later, Andrews blasted a deep two-run home run to left field in the fourth inning to add on the Mobile's 1-0 lead. Andrews was responsible for all three Mobile runs in game one as the Mobile pitching and defense held the Cavaliers scoreless. Montreat had their chances in the game, but failed to capitalize, leaving nine runners on base throughout the seven-inning game.
Despite a 3-0 loss, Montreat managed to out-hit Mobile 7-5, but committed two errors. For Mobile, the Rams made just one error and were led by Andrews with a 1-for-2 line at the plate. On the mound, the Rams recorded three scoreless outings as Stephen Poche' made his season debut by getting the start. Poche' pitched three innings to open the game, allowing just three hits and striking out two. Thomas James followed Poche' with two scoreless innings, allowing a single hit. James was later awarded the win in game one. Landon Moore, who started at second base in game one and finished 1-for-2 at the plate with a walk, managed a six-out save to close things out. Moore allowed three hits in two innings, striking out two while on his way to his first save of the season.
Game Two Recap: Mobile 13, Montreat 2 - 7 Innings
With Mobile one win away from a four-game sweep during opening weekend, the Rams' bats caught fire with 13 total runs off 14 hits in game two. Mobile relied on a big second inning to get the offense rolling, scoring five runs in the inning alone. J.T. Lastorka started the inning recording his first hit of the season with an RBI single to right field. Jackson Breal then followed Lastorka with a infield single to put Mobile up, 2-0. With the bases full, Landon Moore than blooped a bases clearing two-out double to right center field to open the game up for the Rams. Moore's double looked like a routine fly ball off the bat, but Montreat center fielder Michael Bell lost the ball in the sun, eventually costing the Cavaliers three runs.
Later in the fourth inning, Mobile starting shortstop Sam Bowman notched an RBI single to extend Mobile's lead, 6-0. One inning later, Jackson Breal recorded his second RBI of the game with a sacrifice fly. In the top of the sixth inning, Montreat College finally managed to breakthrough in the scoring category, pushing across a single run to cut the Mobile lead to five runs. However, the Rams answered in the bottom half with another massive inning on the offensive side, scoring six add-on runs. In the inning, Breal managed another RBI single, giving him three RBIs on the afternoon. With a big lead, Mobile Head Coach Jon Seymour saw opportunity to pinch-hit several bench players in the sixth inning. The Rams batted around in two separate innings in game two, coming in the second and sixth innings.
Following a lone Montreat run in the top of the seventh, Mobile closed things and earned the 13-2 win, sweeping Montreat in all four games over the weekend. Both Landon Moore and Jackson Breal tallied three RBIs each in the win, while Trevor Wells finished 3-for-4 at the plate. Trevor Andrews mustered two more hits in game two and will have a great chance at claiming the SSAC's Baseball Player of the Week honor following his impressive first week as a Mobile Ram. Through five games to start the year, Andrews finished 9-for-14 at the dish, tallying three home runs and 12 RBIs. In addition, Andrews led Mobile with four stolen bags and earned a win on the mound in the season opener against No. 4 LSU-Shreveport.
Mobile Carries 5-0 Start to Another Four-Game Home Series Next Week
With a 5-0 start in the books, Mobile will host another four game non-conference series next weekend at Jacobs Field, hosting Midway University on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 10-11. Both days will see doubleheaders, starting at 12:00 p.m. CT on each day.
Due to home scheduling conflicts across the UM Athletic Department, the Friday doubleheader will be the only two games broadcasted live. Live stats will be available for all four games.
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.
