DECATUR, Ala. - Bidding for a second straight tournament championship in the SSAC, the University of Mobile Softball team lost to the Middle Georgia State Knights in the conference title game on Saturday afternoon, May 6, falling 11-0 in five innings. Mobile entered this year's SSAC Softball Championship Tournament as the No. 1 seed and as the regular season champions, but struggled when facing the second-seeded Knights of Middle Georgia State on two different occasions this postseason.
The Rams opened the tournament with a run-rule win over Stillman College on Thursday, May 6, but lost next time out to Middle Georgia State in the winner's bracket one day later. In an elimination game on Saturday morning, Mobile and the Stillman Tigers met once more, with the Rams eventually earning a shutout victory and a trip to the title game against the Knights. In Saturday's championship game, Middle Georgia State came away with the conference crown, finishing a perfect 4-0 in this year's tournament. For Mobile, the Rams have managed a 38-13 overall record following the tournament, with five losses this season coming against the Knights.
How It Happened
Middle Georgia State set the tone of the championship game early, scoring a lone run in the top of the first inning. Three innings later, the Knights' offense exploded in the top of the fourth, scoring 10 runs in the inning after three errors from Mobile assisted the big inning. Middle Georgia State's starting pitcher Madisyn Riggins put in a strong performance against Mobile, tossing four scoreless innings and allowing just one hit. Trailing by 11 runs entering the fifth inning and with the NAIA's run-rule in affect, the Rams needed a colossal comeback on Saturday afternoon.
Down to the last out of the game, senior Kristen Black notched a single to right field to potentially spark a rally for the Rams. However, a pop-out next at-bat ended the game as Mobile's chances at a second conference title in a two-year span came to an end. Black was the only Mobile player to record a hit against Middle Georgia State's pitching staff, finishing 2-for-3 at the plate. Mobile left five total runners on base.
What's Next?
With Middle Georgia State punching their ticket to the opening round of the NAIA Softball Championship Tournament, Mobile will have to await the NAIA Softball selection show to earn an at-large bid to an opening round site. With the Rams ranked No. 13 in the latest NAIA Softball Top 25 rankings, it is highly probable that Mobile will see the 2023 season roll on.
The NAIA Softball selection show is scheduled for Tuesday, May 9 at 4:00 p.m. CT.
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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.
