UM SOFTBALL FIELD, MOBILE, Ala. - For the final time during the 2023 season, the University of Mobile Softball team hosted a doubleheader at home on Monday, Apr. 17, facing off with Stillman College. The meeting between No. 15 Mobile and Stillman was the second during the regular season, with the two teams splitting a doubleheader in Tuscaloosa, Ala. earlier in the year. Monday's games were originally scheduled for Saturday, Apr. 15, but were pushed back two days due to weather.
Mobile came away with two wins over the Tigers to conclude the home portion of the 2023 schedule, walking off Stillman in eight innings in game one with a 3-2 victory, and ending the day with a 5-0 shutout win in game two. Mobile improves to 30-11 overall on the season following the doubleheader sweep.
Game One Recap - Rams Mount Comeback for Walk-Off Win
After Stillman College defeated Mobile for the first time in program history earlier in the season, the Tigers threatened to repeat history in game one on Monday by scoring the game's first two runs in the top of the third inning. The Rams had their chances early on, leaving several runners on base without pushing across a run through the first four innings. Finally, Mobile broke through on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fifth with two runs to tie the game late. Ashlyn Stewart got the scoring started in the fifth with a hard-hit single down the left field line that scored Caitlin McRee. Later that inning, Lillie Lanham grounded out that scored pinch runner Erin Degruise. From there, the game went to extra innings tied at two runs a piece.
In the eighth inning, freshman reliever Avery Harrell worked a scoreless top half, while Caitlin McRee led off the bottom half of the inning with a deep triple to the center field wall. With the game-winning run at third and no outs on the board, Tempest Hebert then laid down a perfect bunt to score McRee from third and earn Mobile the team's second straight walk-off victory. Last Friday, senior Hebert was responsible for Mobile's game-winning hit in the eighth inning against Blue Mountain Christian on Senior Day.
Caitlin McRee finished 3-for-3 at the plate in game one, adding a walk and scoring two runs. Tempest Hebert notched a 1-for-2 line, while Lillie Lanham finished 2-for-3. In the pitcher's circle, Avery Harrell pitched 5 2/3 innings of scoreless one-hit ball, earning the win on the rubber. Overall, the Rams outhit Stillman 8-5 in Monday's first game.
Game Two Recap - Rams Shut Out the Tigers
In game two on Monday, the Rams got the scoring started in the bottom of the third inning with a three-run inning. Mattie Evans scored Mobile's first run on a passed ball after starting the inning with single to center field. Tempest Hebert then managed a deep sacrifice fly to score Mobile's second run, while Lillie Lanham recorded an infield single to drive in the third run of the inning as the Rams held a 3-0 lead entering the fourth.
In the bottom half of the fourth, Mobile then added two more runs over Stillman, taking a 5-0 lead. With two outs on the board, Stillman committed a costly error to allow Mobile's fourth run to score. Ashlyn Stewart then followed with an RBI double to give the Rams a five-run advantage. From there, Mobile starting pitcher Brinkley Goff was on cruise control as the senior shut down Stillman's bats.
Goff pitched a complete game shutout against Stillman in game two, her 13th complete game of the year. Additionally, she struck out nine batters, issuing just two walks and allowing four hits. Mobile outhit Stillman in the second game, 9-4.
At the plate, Caitlin McRee continued her strong day, finishing 2-for-3 with a run scored. Across Monday's doubleheader, McRee finished 5-for-6 at the dish, while working a walk. Stillman pitchers only managed to get McRee out once across both games. Ashlyn Stewart and Mattie Evans both joined McRee in finishing with a 2-for-3 batting line as Stewart finished with an RBI and Evans ending the day by scoring two runs. Across both games, Mobile outscored Stillman, 8-2.
Back On the Road for Four
With the home portion of the 2023 schedule officially completed, the Rams have just four more regular season games left on the schedule. Mobile is set to face Faulkner University in Montgomery, Ala. next Tuesday, Apr. 25 for a 2:00 p.m. CT doubleheader, and will conclude the regular season with a 4:00 p.m. CT doubleheader against conference rival William Carey on Thursday, Apr. 27 in Hattiesburg, Miss.
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.
