UM SOFTBALL FIELD, MOBILE, Ala. - After eight-straight games on the road, the University of Mobile Softball team returned home on Thursday evening, Apr. 6 for a non-conference doubleheader against Georgia Gwinnett College. Thursday's meeting between Mobile and Georgia Gwinnett featured two teams ranked inside the top 15 of the latest NAIA Softball Top 25 Coaches' Poll, with Mobile being ranked No. 15 and Georgia Gwinnett ranked at No. 10.
In an evenly-played doubleheader, the Grizzlies of Georgia Gwinnett managed to sweep the Rams on Thursday, winning both games in extra inning fashion. Throughout the entire evening, Mobile and Georgia Gwinnett played 22 total innings of softball in just under six hours, with game one going nine innings and game two finishing at 13 innings. Mobile's overall record falls to 25-10 following the two losses.
Game One Recap - Georgia Gwinnett Mounts Comeback
To kick things off on Thursday, Mobile got out to an early lead against Georgia Gwinnett, scoring one run in the bottom of the first inning following a suicide squeeze play by Caitlin McRee that scored Kristen Black. One inning later, the Rams pushed across another run off a RBI fielder's choice by Katie Head. Mobile starting pitcher Emily Butts kept the Grizzlies off the scoreboard through the first five innings.
With Mobile still leading 2-0 entering the sixth, Georgia Gwinnett finally managed to breakthrough on the scoreboard, tying the game at two runs a piece in the top of the inning. From there, the game went to extra innings tied, 2-2.
In extras, Mobile kept Georgia Gwinnett off the board in the top of the seventh and eighth innings, while seeing two big opportunities to push across the winning run erased across the same two innings. Due to the international tiebreaker with a runner starting at second base in each inning of extras, Mobile managed to move a runner to third base in the seventh and eighth with just one out on the board. However, Georgia Gwinnett escaped both innings, only later adding the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth. From there, Georgia Gwinnett earned the 3-2 win in nine innings.
Mobile tallied five hits in the game one loss, with Tempest Hebert finishing 2-for-4 at the plate. In the pitcher's circle, Emily Butts pitched the entire game, allowing six hits and only one earned run. She struck out five batters.
Game Two Recap - Questionable Call Late May Have Cost Mobile
It was much of the same story in the nightcap of Thursday's doubleheader as Mobile and Georgia Gwinnett once again went to extra innings. The Grizzlies managed an early run against the Rams, but saw Mobile come back in the bottom of the fifth inning to take a 2-1 lead. Madilyn Sheffield started the inning off with a bang, blasting her first home run of the season to left field. Later, Caitlin McRee lined a double down the right field line to put the Rams on top. Mobile's lead did not last long, however, as Georgia Gwinnett tied the game 2-2 one inning later. From there, the game went to extra innings.
Unlike game one, neither team was able to score a run through the first five innings of extras, with Georgia Gwinnett possibly catching a break in the 13th inning. Following a leadoff bunt attempt in the top of the 13th, Georgia Gwinnett's batter made contact with Caitlin McRee up the first base line, with McRee being called for interference. The interference call did not go over well with the Mobile coaching staff, bench, and fans as McRee was well off the first base line after review. However, after the two-man umpire crew gathered to chat about the call, the call was upheld by the infield umpire and allowed for each Georgia Gwinnett runner to be called safe. From there, Georgia Gwinnett capitalized on the call and later took the lead one batter later. Riding a high, Georgia Gwinnett opened things up with a six-run 13th inning.
In the bottom of the 13th, the Rams were unable to mount a comeback and fell to the Grizzlies, 9-3. True freshman Avery Harrell got the start in the circle for Mobile, throwing 12 2/3 innings and making 171 pitches. Harrell was charged with two earned runs, striking out a career-high 11 batters. At the plate, Caitlin McRee finished 2-for-5, tallying two RBIs.
Conference Rivals Meet Next
In the next doubleheader on the schedule for Mobile, the Rams will host conference rival William Carey on Tuesday, Apr. 11 for a 4:00 p.m. CT doubleheader at the UM Softball Field. Both Mobile and William Carey are currently ranked inside the top 25 in the NAIA and are second and third in the current SSAC Softball standings. The meeting is the first this season between the two programs.
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.
