COLUMBUS, Ga. - One day after opening the 2024 NFCA Leadoff Classic with a 1-1 record, the University of Mobile Softball team recorded yet another split across two games played on Saturday, Feb. 17, moving the overall record to 4-3 on the season. Mobile opened the day with a 6-5 loss to Jessup University (Cal.), with the Warriors earning a walk-off in the seventh inning to upset the Rams. Later, Mobile bounced back with a one-hit shutout win over Milligan (Tenn.) to cap off the night.
Mobile is scheduled for one more game in this year's NFCA Leadoff Classic, coming on Sunday morning in Columbus, Ga.
No. 12 Mobile Shrugs Off Walk-Off Loss with Shutout W
Jessup 6, (12) Mobile 5
Mobile and Jessup met for the first time in program history on Saturday in Columbus, with Mobile controlling the majority of the game. After three scoreless innings passed, the Rams put up a four-spot on the scoreboard in the top of the fourth inning. A pair of fielding errors by Jessup began the scoring spree for Mobile in the fourth, with newcomer Sarah Brannan coming up with a two-run double to highlight the inning. One inning later, Mobile took a 5-0 lead after Jill Robinson cranked her first home run of the season.
The Warriors managed to get two runs back in the bottom of the fifth, but eventually trailed 5-2 going into the final inning of the game. In the final inning, Jessup's bats sparked and saw a two-run homer with two outs put the Warriors just one run back from Mobile. Head coach Alison Sellers-Cook of Mobile made a pitching change following the two-run homer as Emily Butts came out of the bullpen in hopes of closing out the game. However, a fielding error on Mobile brought the winning run to the plate and Jessup's Kaylee Winn made the Rams pay with a walk-off two-run home run to seal the game.
Mobile was out-hit 8-5 in the heartbreaking loss as starting pitcher Avery Harrell tossed 6 1/3 innings in the pitcher's circle. Harrell walked six, but struck out nine in just her second start this season, eventually being charged with four earned runs. Emily Butts was credited with the loss, with both runs being unearned. At the plate, Sarah Brannan led the offense with a 2-for-3 day, collecting two RBIs.
(12) Mobile 2, Milligan 0
Not long after the crushing loss to Jessup, Mobile squared off against Milligan University to conclude the night. Mobile and Milligan played the quickest game of the tournament thus far, with the game lasting just over an hour long. Mobile's Emily Butts got the start on the rubber and tossed a gem against the Buffaloes, allowing only one hit and striking out five batters in a complete-game effort. Butts earned the win after Mobile relied on a two-run bottom of the sixth inning for the game's lone runs.
In the sixth, Caitlin McRee reached on a single and later scored following a double by Jill Robinson. Later in the inning, Madilyn Sheffield connected with a double of her own to score Robinson and put the Rams up, 2-0. From there, the game went final and Mobile bounced back with a two-run victory.
As a team, the Rams recorded five hits, three coming off the bat of Caitlin McRee alone. Mobile struck out just once as a unit, while working a pair of walks. Emily Butts improves to 2-2 from the circle this season and lowers her earned-run-average to 2.58 following the shutout performance.
NFCA Leadoff Classic Ends on Sunday
Mobile is scheduled for just one game on Sunday, Feb. 18 to wrap up play in the annual tournament in Columbus, Ga. Sunday's game is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. CT against Louisiana Christian University, with the game being played at the South Commons Softball Complex.
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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.
