COLUMBUS, Ga. - The University of Mobile Softball team wrapped up play in the annual NFCA Leadoff Classic on Sunday afternoon, Feb. 18, defeating Louisiana Christian University 6-5 in extra innings. Mobile finishes this year's tournament in Columbus, Ga. with a 3-2 record, while advancing the overall record on the 2024 season to 5-3 following Sunday's win. Additionally, Mobile's Caitlin McRee was named to this year's NFCA Leadoff Classic All-Tournament Team following this weekend's action that featured 23 NAIA programs.
Walking Off the NFCA Leadoff Classic
Mobile and Louisiana Christian opened Sunday's game with hot bats as three total runs were scored between the two teams in the first inning alone. The Wildcats opened the scoring in the top of the first with a single run, while collecting three hits, followed by two runs off two hits by Mobile in the bottom half. Caitlin McRee highlighted the first for Mobile with an RBI double. From there, the next two innings went scoreless on both sides.
In the top of the fourth, Louisiana Christian grabbed the lead with a four-run inning as head coach Alison Sellers-Cook was forced to pull starter Brinkley Goff and go to her bullpen. Mobile eventually made two pitching changes in the fourth, with Avery Harrell pitching out of a bases-loaded jam to end the inning. Now trailing 5-2, Mobile responded with two more runs in the bottom half of the fourth, using an RBI groundout by Lillie Lanham and a sacrifice fly by Gracie Vanderford to put the Rams within one run. One inning later, Mobile tied the game at five runs a piece off an error by the Wildcats defense. The game eventually went to extra innings tied, 5-5.
With the international tiebreaker in play and a runner starting at second base, Mobile's Erin Degruise checked in the game to run in the bottom of the eighth, one half inning after Avery Harrell pitched a scoreless top eight. Caitlin McRee then laid down a bunt at the plate to advance Degruise to third, but saw yet another Louisiana Christian error allow the winning run to cross the plate as Mobile earned the walk-off victory, 6-5. In three extra inning games this season, Mobile improves to 2-1.
Avery Harrell was awarded the victory from the pitcher's circle, tossing 4 1/3 innings of relief without giving up a hit. Harrell struck out four Wildcats in her appearance from out of the bullpen. Both teams finished with five hits a piece as Mobile was led by leadoff hitter Sarah Brannan with a 2-for-3 batting line. Caitlin McRee led Mobile with a pair of RBIs, including the game-winner, and finished the three-day tournament 8-for-17 at the plate across five games.
Conference Play Begins Next
Mobile is scheduled to return home next weekend for a four-game homestand, playing two SSAC doubleheaders in the process. The Rams will host Blue Mountain Christian (Miss.) on Friday afternoon, Feb. 23 at 3:00 p.m. CT, followed by a Saturday doubleheader against the Firehawks of UT-Southern (Tenn.) at 12:00 p.m. CT. The four games are Mobile's first conference games of the 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.
