CHICKASHA, Okla. - After significant weather postponed the first day of the NAIA Softball Opening Round in Chickasha, Okla., the University of Mobile Softball team played two games on Tuesday, May 16, kicking off the day with a matchup against Cottey College (Mo.) in the early afternoon hours. Mobile entered the Chickasha Bracket at the No. 2 seed, while Cottey entered as the third seed of the double-elimination tournament.
To begin the day, Mobile put together a 2-0 shutout win over Cottey, advancing to the winner's section of the bracket and later facing the top seed of the University of Science & Arts (Okla.). In the nightcap, Mobile fell to the Drovers 3-2 in walk-off fashion after USAO recorded a sacrifice fly in the ninth inning to win the ballgame. With the win, USAO advances to the opening round championship game in Chickasha, while Mobile will fight to keep the 2023 season alive with an elimination game on Wednesday, May 17. The Rams will face the winner of the Cottey v. Avila (Mo.) matchup in Wednesday's elimination contest.
Highlights / Notables
- In the Mobile v. Cottey game, the Rams relied on a two-run fourth inning for the game's entire offense.
- Katie Head started the scoring in the fourth with an RBI single to right field, while Mattie Evans followed with a sacrifice fly to put the Rams up two runs.
- Overall, Mobile outhit Cottey 5-4, committing just one defensive error in the game.
- In the pitcher's circle, Brinkley Goff dominated with a complete game shutout, tossing seven innings and striking out five batters. She did not issue a walk to the Comets.
- Later that afternoon, Mobile and USAO met in the winner's bracket where the Rams fell in walk-off fashion.
- USAO started the scoring with a lone run in the bottom of the first, but Mobile answered with two runs in the top of the third.
- The Drovers then tied the game 2-2 in the bottom half of the third where the score remained for the next six innings.
- In the top of the ninth, Mobile got a pair of hits including a leadoff double by Katie Head, but could not score. In the bottom of the frame, the Drovers notched a sacrifice fly to walk it off after a single, error and sacrifice bunt put a runner on third base.
- Brinkley Goff allowed only one unearned run in six innings of five-hit relief against the Drovers.
- On the day, Katie Head finished 5-for-7 at the plate as Mobile totaled 15 hits across both games.
- Madi Robertson, Madilyn Sheffield, and Lillie Lanham joined Head with two hits in game two against USAO.
- Following Tuesday's action, Mobile is 39-14 on the season.
Elimination Game Set for Noon Central
Mobile will battle for a spot in the opening round championship in Chickasha on Wednesday, facing either Cottey College and Avila University at 12:00 p.m. CT. The opening round championship game is set for 2:30 p.m. CT on Wednesday, with all games being broadcasted live HERE.
FOLLOW THE RAMS
For complete coverage of University of Mobile Athletics, follow the Rams on social media at /MobileRams (Facebook), @UMobileRams (Twitter), and @umobilerams (Instagram), or visit the official home of the University of Mobile Athletic Department at https://umobilerams.com/.
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.
