PULASKI, Tenn. - One day after the University of Mobile Softball team recorded a doubleheader sweep over Blue Mountain Christian University (Miss.) on the road in north Mississippi, the Rams were back to their winning ways on Saturday afternoon, Apr. 13 in Pulaski, Tenn., sweeping the Firehawks of UT-Southern (Tenn.) across two games.
Mobile ends the weekend road trip 4-0 against SSAC opponents, improving the overall record to 26-11 this season, while improving to 17-5 in SSAC action. With the four conference victories, the Rams move back into first place in the current SSAC Softball standings.
Saturday Highlights
Across game one to kick off Saturday's action, Mobile's offense exploded for 12 runs through the first five innings, with eight runs alone crossing home plate in the third inning. Mobile finished with 13 total hits in the game, while starting pitcher Emily Butts allowed just five hits on UT-Southern's side. Butts kept the Firehawks in check, allowing only one run to score and eventually earned the win on the rubber. Mobile's 12-1 victory ended game one early due to the NAIA run-rule after the fifth inning.
On top of Butts' performance from the pitcher's circle, the fifth-year senior produced a 2-for-4 line at the plate, scoring two runs and driving in one run. Lillie Lanham followed Butts in the lineup and finished 3-for-3 at the plate with a pair of RBIs. Bethany Dean joined Lanham with two RBIs in the victory as the shortstop finished 2-for-3 at the dish. In total, 10 players on the Mobile roster finished with at least one RBI in the run-rule win.
In game two, the UT-Southern pitching staff kept the Mobile bats quiet in the first inning, but allowed three Rams to score in the second. Mobile eventually added two more runs later in the game to take a 5-0 lead to the seventh and final inning. The Firehawks began a rally in the seventh, scoring two runs, but Mobile starting pitcher Avery Harrell managed to pitch out of the jam and earn the complete-game win from the circle, with Mobile winning game two, 5-2.
Harrell finished game two with nine hits allowed, collecting six strikeouts, and wrapped up her weekend with two wins and a save in three appearances on the weekend. Mobile out-hit the Firehawks in the nightcap 10-9, with Breanna Green leading the team with two runs driven in following a double down the left field line. Gracie Vanderford also recorded an RBI double in the three-run win, finishing 1-for-2 with an RBI and a walk. Meanwhile, Lillie Lanham added three more hits in the afternoon's second game, finishing the doubleheader 6-for-7 at the plate to pace the Mobile offense on Saturday.
Rams Host Conference Foe for Non-Conference Doubleheader Next Week
Riding a four-game winning streak, Mobile is scheduled to return to action next Tuesday, Apr. 16 at home in a non-conference doubleheader with Faulkner University (Ala.). Faulkner and Mobile, both members of the SSAC, have already met for two conference games during the 2024 season, making next Tuesday's two games non-conference contests.
Tuesday's DH is scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m. CT at the UM Softball Field.
FOLLOW THE RAMS
For complete coverage of University of Mobile Athletics, follow the Rams on social media at /MobileRams (Facebook), @UMobileRams ("X" FKA Twitter), and @umobilerams (Instagram), or visit the official home of the University of Mobile Athletic Department at https://umobilerams.com/.
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.
