UM SOFTBALL FIELD | MOBILE, Ala. - The University of Mobile Softball team opened the confernece portion of the 2024 season in style over the weekend, defeating Blue Mountain Christian (Miss.) and UT-Southern (Tenn.) in doubleheaders at home across Friday and Saturday, Feb. 23-24. Mobile, ranked No. 12 in the NAIA, began the weekend on Friday evening against Blue Mountain with a pair of 6-0 shutout wins, following that with two shutouts in pitching duels on Saturday afternoon against the Firehawks of UT-Southern.
The 4-0 weekend improves Mobile's overall record on the year to 9-3, with the Rams opening SSAC play with a 4-0 record to sit atop of the current conference standings.
Pitching Shines During SSAC Opening Weekend
The Mobile pitching staff was stellar during the four games played over the weekend, with sophomore Avery Harrell getting the nod to begin play on Friday. Against the Toppers of Blue Mountain, Harrell tossed a complete game shutout, racking up a total of 12 strikeouts in a three-hit performance. She walked just one batter during Friday's 6-0 win.
The Mobile offense put together a four-run second inning during Harrell's performance in game one of Friday's doubleheader, with Gracie Vanderford leading the charge with a two-run double to left field. Kristen Black followed with an RBI double of her own in the inning. Later in the game, Caitlin McRee launched her first home run of the season to left field, scoring two on the play. From there, the Rams took game one, 6-0.
In game two on Friday, pitching once again tossed a shutout, with Brinkley Goff finishing the complete game effort. Goff gave up five hits, while totaling three strikeouts and two walks. She managed to pitch out of jams as Blue Mountain finished with seven runners left on base. Meanwhile, Mobile's offense scored at least one run from the second through the sixth innings, highlighted by Madilyn Sheffield with three RBIs. Sheffield finished 3-for-3 at the plate and recorded her second homer of the season in the fifth inning. Mobile once again topped the Toppers 6-0 for the Friday sweep.
One day later, the Rams were back in action at the UM Softball Field, hosting UT-Southern for an SSAC doubleheader. Mobile scored just one run in the afternoon's first game, with Kristen Black recording the game's lone RBI with a single to right field in the second inning. The lone run was enough for Mobile starting pitcher Emily Butts, who pitched a two-hit complete game shutout against the Firehawks to give Mobile a 1-0 victory. Butts struck out four, walking just two batters.
Avery Harrell then picked up where she left off on Friday in game two of the Saturday doubleheader, pitching yet another complete game shutout. Harrell allowed just one hit against UT-Southern, while striking out nine batters. She did not walk a Firehawk. Harrell's final numbers on the weekend were eye-popping, with the sophomore totaling 14 shutout innings across two games pitched, striking out 21 batters and allowing just four hits.
Mobile pushed across two runs in the second game, coming across the third and fourth innings. Kristen Black recorded her second RBI of the day with a sacrifice fly, being followed by a Gracie Vanderford double to right center field. From there, the game went final in favor of the Rams, 2-0.
NAIA Postseason Rematch Up Next
With a strong 4-0 weekend in their pockets, the Rams look to carry momentum to the next game on the schedule, coming on Thursday, Feb. 29 at the UM Softball Field. Mobile is set to face the University of Science & Arts (Okla.) on Thursday, the same team that eliminated Mobile from the NAIA Softball Championship Opening Round last season. Mobile and USAO are scheduled for just one game, slated for a 12:00 p.m. CT start.
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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.
