UM SOFTBALL FIELD | MOBILE, Ala. - The University of Mobile Softball team wrapped up the regular season portion of the 2024 schedule on Friday evening, Apr. 26, hosting and splitting a doubleheader with Stillman College (Ala.) in the process.
Prior to Friday's two games, 10 seniors from the UM Softball program were honored for Senior Day as numerous family members and loved ones were in attendance. Seniors honored were the following: Kristen Black, Alyssa Brashier, Emily Butts, Alainah Diaz, Sydnee Fitzgerald, Brinkley Goff, Caitlin McRee, Madi Robertson, Gracie Vanderford, and Katie Head. All were presented with a plaque and flowers from the Mobile coaching staff and teammates.
Game Highlights
Following Senior Day festivities, Mobile and the Tigers of Stillman met for the final doubleheader of the regular season for the Rams. Mobile opened the scoring with a run in the bottom of the first inning following a sacrifice fly from Caitlin McRee. From there, game one quickly turned into a pitchers' duel between Mobile's Emily Butts and Stillman's Lexi McCray.
Over the next four frames, it was nothing but zeros on the scoreboard for both sides. However, the Mobile offense caught fire in the bottom half of the sixth, adding five insurance runs in the inning to take a 6-0 lead to the final inning of the game. Emily Butts highlighted the inning with a three-run homer, helping her own case for a potential win from the pitchers' circle. Butts then shut down Stillman in the top of the seventh, leading the Rams to a 6-0 win to kick off Friday's action.
Mobile out-hit the Tigers 12-5, led by Butts with a 3-for-4 line at the plate and three runs driven in. Caitlin McRee followed by collecting two hits and two RBIs in the victory. In total, nine Rams recorded at least one hit in the game one win, while Butts cruised from the rubber with five strikeouts in the complete-game shutout. She improves to 12-6 from the circle this season.
Later on Friday, Stillman attempted to answer back from the game one defeat to Mobile in the nightcap. The Tigers managed to push across the first run of the game in the third inning off starting pitcher Brinkley Goff, who was forced to work against the Stillman lineup early. Goff tossed over 80 pitches through just four innings against the Tigers as Stillman managed to record long at-bats. However, the lone run in the third was the only run scored in the game until Mobile's Kristen Black tied the game in the fifth with an RBI single.
Mobile and Stillman entered the seventh and final inning tied 1-1, with Stillman managing a base runner following a hit-by-pitch. Later in the inning and with two outs on the board and a runner at second, the Tigers reclaimed the lead with an RBI single to left field. From there, Stillman shut Mobile's rally down in the bottom half and earned a 2-1 win to end the evening at the UM Softball Field.
Both teams recorded five hits each in game two, with Brinkley Goff being charged with the loss. Goff tossed 6 2/3 innings, racking up 10 strikeouts and allowing two runs. At the plate, five Rams recorded a hit, with Kristen Black's RBI single being the only run Mobile scored. The Rams left five runners on base.
What's Next
Mobile will await results from Saturday's softball action around the SSAC to determine seeding in the upcoming SSAC Softball Championship Tournament. Currently, Mobile sits third in the conference with an 18-8 SSAC record, while seeing the overall record move to 29-14 on the year.
The SSAC Softball Championship will be held in Decatur, Ala. from May 2-4 at the Wilson Morgan Softball Complex.
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.
