TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The University of Mobile Softball team managed a doubleheader split for the third consecutive series on Wednesday evening, Mar. 13, splitting with conference foe Stillman College (Ala.) in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Stillman, who entered Wednesday's series with Mobile 19-1 overall on the year, came away with a 2-1 victory in game one against the Rams. Mobile did manage to bounce back in the nightcap, however, forcing extra innings and eventually earning a 10-5 win in 10 innings.
Following Wednesday's two games, Mobile sits at 14-7 overall, while holding a 6-2 conference record in the SSAC.
Series Notables
Across game one, the Rams of Mobile out-hit the Tigers of Stillman 7-5, scoring their lone run of the game in the top of the second inning. First-year Ram Megan McCartney came up with a single with two runners on, later seeing a Stillman error during that same play score the game's first run. Up 1-0 in the middle innings, Mobile starting pitcher Avery Harrell gave up a solo home run in the bottom of the fifth inning to see the game tied at one run a piece.
One inning later, Stillman grabbed the lead following a suicide squeeze play off pitcher Emily Butts. Madison Bubel laid down a perfect bunt to the pitcher's circle, while Lauren Haskins slid into home to give the Tigers the lead. From there, Stillman shut down a Mobile rally in the top of the seventh and earned the one-run win in game one.
Kristen Black finished 2-for-2 with a walk from the nine hole in the lineup, while five players each recorded one hit in the defeat. Emily Butts was charged with the loss from the circle, pitching 1 2/3 innings of relief, while starter Avery Harrell finished with 4 1/3 innings of work, striking out five.
In the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader, Mobile once again grabbed the lead first, scoring two early runs against Stillman. In the first inning, Miah Simmons drove in Caitlin McRee with a sacrifice fly to right field, followed by a Mallory Atchison RBI single to left center in the second inning. Atchison's RBI is the first of her collegiate career in just two games played.
The Tigers eventually responded to the 2-0 deficit, using a four-run fourth inning to take the lead. Starting pitcher Brinkley Goff was unable to record an out in the fourth before being pulled from the game for reliever Emily Butts. Now trailing 4-2, the Rams were able to scratch off a run in the top of the sixth with a Megan McCartney sacrifice fly before heading to the seventh inning trailing by one. In the top of the seventh, Mobile rallied for a run to tie the game. A costly Stillman error allowed the game-tying run to cross home plate as Wednesday's nightcap eventually went extra innings.
Both teams remained scoreless for the next two innings. However, Mobile's bats came alive in the top of the 10th, scoring a whopping six runs against the Tigers' pitching staff. McCartney drove in two with a single to open the scoring, being followed by an RBI single by Lillie Lanham. Gracie Vanderford was then hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, and Jill Robinson drove in two runs of her own with a double to right center field. Stillman did manage to get a run back in the bottom of the 10th, but the six-run inning for Mobile proved to be too much as the Rams earned the 10-5 comeback win.
Mobile collected 14 hits, with Jill Robinson and Lillie Lanham each recording three. Megan McCartney and Mallory Atchison followed with two hits a piece as McCartney paced the Mobile roster with four RBIs total across both games. From the pitcher's circle, Emily Butts earned the win in relief, tossing seven innings and allowing five hits. Butts gave up just one unearned run to Stillman and finished 1-1 from the rubber in Wednesday's doubleheader.
Week Off for Mobile
Mobile is not scheduled for another game until Thursday, Mar. 21, eight days following the two games played in Tuscaloosa. The Rams will host Thomas University (Ga.) next Thursday for a conference doubleheader, scheduled to begin at 4:00 p.m. CT. Next week's DH with Thomas is the first SSAC doubleheader between the two teams in history.
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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.
