UM SOFTBALL FIELD | MOBILE, Ala. - The University of Mobile Softball team returned home to the UM Softball Field on Tuesday afternoon, Mar. 12, hosting LSU-Alexandria (La.) for a non-conference doubleheader on a sunny afternoon in Mobile, Ala. Mobile and LSU-A split the doubleheader, with the 13th-ranked Rams coming out on top in game one, 3-1. The Generals, who are receiving votes in the latest NAIA Softball Top 25 Coaches' Poll, bounced back and managed a 2-1 victory in game two for the series split.
Following Tuesday's results, Mobile sees the overall record move to 13-6 on the season, with the SSAC record remaining at 5-1.
The Basics
LSU-Alexandria started Tuesday's doubleheader out with a bang as leadoff hitter Hayley Fontenot jumped on the very first pitch of the game and drove it over the center field wall for a solo home run. Mobile immediately started Tuesday's two-game set playing from behind as starting pitcher Emily Butts was forced to regather her game plan. From there, Butts pitched lights out for the remainder of the game as the leadoff homer eventually became the lone run the LSU-A offense scored.
Meanwhile, Mobile relied on a two-out rally in the bottom of the third inning to put the Rams on the scoreboard. Caitlin McRee began the rally with a walk, being followed by a sharp ground ball to third base by Lillie Lanham. LSU-A third baseman Haley Primrose bobbled the grounder hit by Lanham and allowed both McRee and Lanham to advance two bases following the error. From there, the Generals' starting pitcher Taylor Spencer struggled with the strike zone and issued walks to the next two batters in the Mobile lineup. Gracie Vanderford was credited with the game-tying RBI with a bases-loaded walk.
After Vanderford's walk that tied the game 1-1, Jill Robinson stepped in and lined a ball to right center field, scoring two runs in the process. Mobile took the lead 3-1, which eventually proved to be the final runs scored across game one. Emily Butts finished game one pitching a complete game against the Generals, allowing just three hits and striking out four batters. Butts struck out the final batter of the game with the tying run at second base.
In total, the Rams left eight runners on base in game one, seeing at least one base runner in five of the six innings which saw Mobile swing the bats. Mobile out-hit LSU-A 6-3, with Jill Robinson's two-run single being the difference in the game.
Later in game two, Mobile continued the two-out trend with back-to-back doubles in the bottom of the first inning. Caitlin McRee drove a ball to right center field to spark the rally, being immediately followed by Lillie Lanham who lined a double to left center field on the next pitch. Mobile went on to take a 1-0 lead to the middle innings.
In the top of the fourth inning, LSU-A's designated player Madi Baker connected on a towering two-run home run to left field to give the Generals the lead. Haley Primrose then shut down the Mobile bats from the pitcher's circle, with Mobile only able to push across the first-inning run. LSU-A earned a 2-1 victory in game two, with Primrose earning a complete game win against No. 13 Mobile.
Brinkley Goff was charged with her first loss of the season from the rubber on Mobile's side, pitching four innings and giving up the two runs. Avery Harrell finished out the game for Mobile tossing three scoreless innings, allowing just two hits. Offensively, LSU-A out-hit Mobile 6-5, with the Rams leaving five runners on base. Mobile left the tying run on base in the final inning and Caitlin McRee became the only Ram across Tuesday's doubleheader to record a multi-hit game, finishing 2-for-3 in the game two loss.
Back to SSAC Play on Wednesday
Mobile has a quick turnaround as the Rams are back in action on the road Wednesday, Mar. 13. Mobile will travel to Tuscaloosa, Ala. on Wednesday for a conference doubleheader at Stillman College (Ala.). First pitch of game one is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. CT.
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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.
