HATTIESBURG, Miss. - For the first time since the 2019 season, the University of Mobile Baseball program is headed back to the SSAC Baseball Championship game, defeating Faulkner University on Sunday afternoon, May 7 in the semifinals. Mobile had a chance at advancing to the finals on Saturday night against the Eagles of Faulkner, but saw a Faulkner walk-off walk in the bottom of the ninth inning force an "if necessary" game on Sunday. In the elimination game on Sunday, Mobile managed an 8-5 victory to advance to the program's second SSAC title game in history, while ending Faulkner's historic nine-straight NAIA Baseball World Series appearances.
How It Happened
One day after a tough Saturday night in Hattiesburg, the Rams met Faulkner for the third time in this year's conference tournament, looking to end the Eagles' season once and for all. Faulkner put together a Cinderella-esque run in the postseason this year, advancing to the semifinals with just 15 total victories throughout the 2023 season. However, the Rams came out of the gate strong on Sunday, scoring one run in the top of the first inning and later adding two more in the second. An RBI groundout by Trevor Andrews got the scoring started for Mobile in the first, with Andrews being responsible for both runs in the second following a single to center field.
Faulkner tallied just two runs across Sunday's first four innings, trailing Mobile by just one run going into the fifth. From there, the Rams added two more runs in the fifth and a single run in the sixth to take a 6-2 lead. Both J.T. Lastorka and Samuel Plash came up with RBI singles in the process. The Eagles kept up with Mobile's pace, however, chipping away at Mobile's lead late. Going to the ninth inning, the Rams led by one, 6-5.
In the top of the ninth, Mobile added two very important insurance runs, with Lastorka blasting his second home run of the season to open the inning. Later in the inning, Trevor Andrews collected his fourth RBI of the game with a single to left field that scored Landon Moore. Up 8-5, senior Thomas James closed things out for Mobile on the mound, recording a six-out save for his first save of the season. James struck out the tying run at the plate to end the ballgame.
The win for the Rams improves Mobile's overall record to 34-13.
Inside the Box Score
Offensively, Trevor Andrews led the Rams in the semifinal win, finishing 2-for-4 at the plate and tallying four runs driven in. Additionally, Andrews was a force on the base paths, stealing four bases in the win. As a team, Mobile finished with seven steals and outhit Faulkner, 13-6. The Rams committed no errors defensively and worked four walks. J.T. Lastorka joined Andrews with multiple runs driven in, recording two RBIs on a 2-for-5 day.
Mobile Head Coach Jon Seymour was forced to use five pitchers on Sunday afternoon, with Jaden Brown earning the victory. Haden Parker and Thomas James combined to toss 2 2/3 innings of scoreless ball to close out the game. The Mobile pitching staff totaled nine strikeouts.
Championship Sunday Rolls On
Following Mobile's win against Faulkner in the semis, the Rams will remain at the ballpark in Hattiesburg, Miss. and await the winner of the Loyola v. William Carey game to face off the in the 2023 SSAC Baseball Championship on Sunday night.
Sunday night's title game is scheduled to start at approximately 7:00 p.m. CT and will be broadcasted live on SSAC TV.
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.
