MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The University of Mobile Softball team managed a doubleheader split on the road on Thursday evening, Mar. 28, playing two extra inning games against Faulkner University (Ala.) in Montgomery, Ala. The 13th-ranked Rams came up with a 7-6 victory in 10 innings to kick off the doubleheader, but later fell 1-0 in eight innings in game two.
Mobile's overall record moves to 17-8 overall, while Faulkner improves to 16-9. Both teams are 9-3 in the SSAC.
Game One: (13) Mobile 7, Faulkner 6 - 10 Innings
The Rams hit the scoreboard first in game one in the top of the second inning, coming off an RBI single from Mattie Evans that scored Erin Degruise. However, Faulkner immediately responded with a run in the bottom half of the second to tie the game, 1-1. In the top of the third, Mobile's bats pushed a pair of runs across to reclaim the lead where the game eventually remained 3-1 until the seventh.
With Mobile needing just three outs for a game one victory, Faulkner managed a two-run single with one out on the board to tie the game and eventually force extra innings. From there, Avery Harrell relieved starting pitcher Emily Butts on the rubber and pitched the remainder of the game. Both the eighth and ninth innings went scoreless between the two conference foes.
The Rams caught fire at the plate in the 10th inning, scoring four innings in the frame to grab the lead, 7-3. Kristen Black highlighted the inning with a two-run double. The Eagles did what they have done all game in the bottom half of the inning, answering Mobile with runs. Faulkner scored three runs in the bottom of the 10th to cut the Mobile lead down to one. However, Avery Harrell managed to work a groundout for the inning's third out and end the game with a one-run victory for Mobile.
Harrell was credited with the win from the pitcher's circle, tossing three innings and giving up two earned runs. Emily Butts pitched the first seven innings of the afternoon's first game, allowing seven hits and three runs. Both Harrell and Butts combined to strike out four batters.
At the plate, Mobile out-hit Faulkner, 16-11. The Rams were led by Caitlin McRee, Madilyn Sheffield, and Kristen Black who all notched three hits a piece. Black and Gracie Vanderford each picked up two RBIs in the victory.
Game Two: Faulkner 1, (13) Mobile 0 - 8 Innings
Game two quickly became a pitcher's dual between Mobile's Brinkley Goff and Faulkner's Ivey Hill. Both pitchers kept their opponents off the scoreboard through the first seven innings, forcing extra innings for the second-straight contest. Mobile eventually ended game two with just four hits, while Faulkner recorded seven hits off Goff.
Faulkner went on to earn the doubleheader split after the Eagles worked a walk-off RBI double in the bottom of the eighth inning. The Rams had their chances in the top half of the eighth, leaving two runners on base without scoring a run. In total, Mobile left six runners on base throughout the game two loss.
Caitlin McRee once again paced the Mobile offense against Faulkner, collecting two more hits. Mattie Evans and Megan McCartney were the only other two Rams to each record a hit. Brinkley Goff pitched all eight innings, allowing seven hits, six walks, and striking out five batters. She threw a total of 127 pitches.
Back in Action on Friday
Mobile travels east to West Point, Ga. following the conference doubleheader in Montgomery, set to take on the Point University (Ga.) Skyhawks at 12:00 p.m. CT on Friday, Mar. 29. Friday's doubleheader will be played in West Point, Ga.
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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.
