JACOBS FIELD | MOBILE, Ala. - The University of Mobile Baseball team opened a three-game weekend series against conference rival William Carey University (Miss.) on Friday, Apr. 12, with the weekend beginning with a single game under the lights at Jacobs Field.
William Carey entered this weekend's series ranked No. 25 in the latest NAIA Baseball Top 25 Coaches' Poll, while Mobile is coming off a 14-4 run-rule victory over crosstown rival and NCAA D-II's Spring Hill College (Ala.) earlier in the week. The Rams carried that momentum into Friday's action against the Crusaders, eventually earning the second consecutive run-rule win after a 13-3 performance in the series opener.
Mobile improves to 15-14 overall after the impressive win over William Carey on Friday, while improving the conference record to 13-9.
How It Happened
After a scoreless top of the first for Mobile starting pitcher Tyler Cruse, the offense sparked in the bottom half with three runs to open the scoring. Two of the three runs scored came following a single to the left side by Alex McWhorter. One inning later, Mobile added an additional run following Peyton Bell's fifth home run of the season.
Leading 4-0, the Rams kept their feet on the gas pedal entering the bottom of the fourth inning and eventually produced a nine-run inning. Mobile forced the William Carey coaching staff to make three pitching changes in the big inning, which was highlighted by a grand slam off the bat of Sam Mansell. Mansell's grand slam is his first long ball of the season. In total, Mobile sent 13 batters to the plate in the inning.
William Carey began chipping away at the lead over the next three innings, adding one run across each frame, but the massive deficit proved to be too much as Mobile scored a 13-3 win in seven innings. Tyler Cruse was credited with the win on the mound, tossing five innings against the Crusaders and allowing just one run off four hits. Cruse struck out two batters. Stephen Poche' closed out the game on the bump with two innings from out of the bullpen, allowing just two runs and one hit.
At the plate, Mobile recorded eight hits as a team, led by Alex McWhorter and Landon Moore with two hits a piece. McWhorter picked up three RBIs, while Sam Mansell led the team with four runs driven in off his grand slam in the fourth. Peyton Bell and Sam Bowman tallied two RBIs each in the victory.
Series Rolls to Saturday
With game one in the books, the two SSAC rivals will meet for a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at Jacobs Field to wrap up the series. Saturday's doubleheader is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. CT and will be broadcasted live on the University of Mobile Sports Network.
FOLLOW THE RAMS
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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.
