HATTIESBURG, Miss. - After a 2-0 weekend against non-conference opponents in the annual Gulf Coast Invitational last week, the University of Mobile Softball team returned to conference play on Thursday afternoon, Mar. 7, traveling to Hattiesburg, Miss. for a doubleheader against SSAC rival William Carey (Miss.). Thursday's meeting between No. 13 Mobile and No. 21 William Carey is the first of two regular season doubleheaders scheduled this year, with the two teams set to meet again in Mobile, Ala. on Apr. 23.
On Thursday, the conference rivals split the doubleheader, with William Carey shutting out the Rams 2-0 across game one. Mobile responded in the nightcap, however, defeating the Crusaders 4-1 to end the evening. Mobile's overall record moves to 12-5 following the 1-1 day, while seeing the SSAC record advance to 5-1 this season.
Rivals Go For Split
In game one, offense was hard to come by for Mobile, with the Rams totaling just two hits in the shutout defeat. Ryanne Hornsby led William Carey to the shutout win, putting together a complete game effort from the pitcher's circle. Gracie Vanderford recorded Mobile's first hit of the game off Hornsby in fifth inning, with Miah Simmons following with the Rams' second hit of the game one at-bat later. However, William Carey escaped the jam as Mobile finished the inning with both runners being left on base.
Meanwhile, William Carey pushed across two runs in the third inning to take the lead, both runs being charged to starting pitcher Avery Harrell. Harrell only pitched two full innings in game one, allowing four hits and striking out one. Emily Butts pitched the remainder of the game for the Rams and kept the Crusaders off the scoreboard throughout the remainder of the contest. Butts allowed just three hits in four innings out of the bullpen.
The offense picked up in the second game in Hattiesburg on Thursday, with the Rams taking the lead on a four-run third inning. William Carey managed to score the game's first run in the bottom of the first, but Mobile's bats sparked in the third to take the lead for good.
Caitlin McRee opened the scoring for Mobile with an RBI single that scored Sarah Brannan, later being followed by a bases-loaded walk by Gracie Vanderford. Miah Simmons then drove in a pair with a single to center field as the Rams went up on their rival, 4-1. From there, starting pitching Brinkley Goff kept the Rams out from with six shutout and hit-less innings following the one-run first, allowing just one William Carey hit in the first inning. Mobile collected nine hits as a team, led by McRee with a 3-for-4 line at the plate. Sarah Brannan and Miah Simmons each recorded two hits. Brinkley Goff finished with the win on the rubber and with just one strikeout in the one-hitter performance.
Back to Non-Conference Play
Mobile returns to action on Tuesday, Mar. 12 with a non-conference doubleheader at the UM Softball Field. The Rams are scheduled to host LSU-Alexandria (La.) on Tuesday, with game one being set for 3:00 p.m. CT. Mobile is 16-7 all-time against the Generals of LSU-A.
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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.
