COCHRAN, Ga. - The University of Mobile Baseball team began the conference portion of the 2024 season on Friday afternoon, Feb. 16, facing the Knights of Middle Georgia State in a scheduled doubleheader in Cochran, Ga. Mobile, coming off an 0-4 weekend at the annual Cajun Collision to open the season last weekend, split Friday's two games with Middle Georgia St. to advance the overall record on the year to 1-5. Meanwhile, Mobile begins SSAC action with a 1-1 record.
The Rams and Knights will meet in the series finale of this weekend's three-game set on Saturday afternoon.
Game One Recap
Mobile claimed the first win of the season in game one during Friday's doubleheader, with interim head coach Kyle Friday earning his first victory at the helm of the University of Mobile Baseball program. The Rams managed an 8-4 victory over the Knights in the scheduled seven-inning game, with Mobile relying on a seven-run third inning to put the game out of reach early.
Second-year Ram Jackson Breal highlighted the third for the Rams by driving in four runs off a grand slam. Breal's grand slam is his first home run of the season as the catcher finished Friday's first game 1-for-4 at the plate. Bryce Eddington and Trey Watson joined Breal with homers in the four-run win, with Eddington recording his team-leading third long ball of the season in the seventh inning and pacing Mobile with two hits. Watson's homer was a two-run shot in the third and is his first of the year. As a team, Mobile recorded just five hits in the victory.
On the mound, southpaw Tyler Cruse pitched a complete game against the Knights, allowing the four runs off eight hits. Three of Middle Georgia State's four runs came via the solo home run. Cruse struck out four in his first win on the rubber and walked just one batter across the seven innings.
Game Two Recap
In game two later on Friday afternoon, Middle Georgia St. opened the nine-inning game putting the first three runs on the scoreboard. The Knights relied on one run in the first inning, while adding two more runs in the third. However, Mobile responded in middle innings with one run in the top of the fifth, later tying the game with a two-run seventh. J.T. Lastorka connected with his first homer in the fifth to put Mobile on the board, while Landon Moore drove in two off a single to center field in the seventh.
With the game tied 3-3, Middle Georgia St. answered back in the bottom half of the seventh, scoring the go-ahead run off a fielder's choice. From there, the score held up for the Knights and Middle Georgia St. earned a 4-3 victory over Mobile.
Similar to game one, Mobile recorded just five hits in the nightcap, with no player recording a multi-hit game. Trey Watson got the start on the mound for the Rams, pitching seven innings and striking out eight. Three of the four runs charged to Watson were earned runs as the second-year Ram was hit with the loss.
Series Finale on Saturday
Mobile is set to wrap up the weekend series on Saturday, Feb. 17 with Middle Georgia St., battling the Knights at 1:00 p.m. CT in Cochran, Ga. A Mobile win tomorrow gives the Rams their first series victory on the young 2024 season.
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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.
