LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. - The University of Mobile Softball team returned to non-conference action on Tuesday afternoon, Apr. 2, traveling to Lawrenceville, Ga. for a doubleheader against No. 9 Georgia Gwinnett College. Tuesday's doubleheader featured two programs ranked inside the top 15 of the latest NAIA Softball Top 25 Coaches' Poll, with both teams collecting wins.
The Grizzlies of Georgia Gwinnett (22-9) opened the doubleheader with a 3-1 victory over the Rams, but saw Mobile bounce back with a 5-1 win across game two. The victory for Mobile is the team's 20th on the season as the overall record moves to 20-9 this year.
Non-Conference Foes Split
Georgia Gwinnett recorded seven hits as a team in game one to begin the afternoon, with all three of the Grizzlies' runs scoring in the bottom of the fourth inning. Mobile starting pitcher Emily Butts managed to record the first two outs of the inning in just two batters faced, but gave up four-straight singles following. Additionally, the Mobile defense coughed up three errors in the fourth to keep the inning rolling for Georgia Gwinnett.
The Rams' lone run came during the top of the sixth inning where Sydnee Fitzgerald recorded a pinch-hit RBI double, scoring Lillie Lanham on the play. From there, Georgia Gwinnett's ace Kailynn James held Mobile's offense to just five hits in 5 2/3 innings of work from the pitcher's circle, striking out five in the process. Annalise Jarvis picked up the save for Georgia Gwinnett by completing the final 1.1 innings of the game.
Leadoff batter Megan McCartney finished 2-for-4 at the plate for Mobile, becoming the only Ram with multiple hits in game one. Emily Butts eventually pitched the entire game, allowing seven hits and striking out four. Two of the three runs scored off Butts were earned runs as the senior falls to 8-5 on the rubber this season.
Later on Tuesday, Mobile started game two off strong by scoring three runs off three hits in the top of the first inning. Sydnee Fitzgerald knocked in Mobile's first run with an RBI infield single, earning the start as designated player after her performance as a pinch-hitter in game one. Gracie Vanderford then followed with a two-run single down the right field line, putting the Rams up early over the NAIA's ninth-ranked team.
Georgia Gwinnett managed to get a run back in the bottom half of the first, but saw the Rams immediately respond with a two-run second inning. Miah Simmons worked an RBI groundout for Mobile's fourth run of the game, while Caitlin McRee scored on a wild pitch later that inning. After the second, offense became obsolete and the score held in favor of Mobile, 5-1.
Brinkley Goff cruised in the circle for the Rams, tossing a complete game and striking out nine Grizzlies. Goff allowed just two hits in the winning effort, improving to 7-2 from the rubber during the 2024 season. Meanwhile, Mobile's offense added seven hits in the game two win, with seven different players recording a single. Additionally, Mobile saw four batters work a walk in the four-run win.
Back Home for Four
The Rams are set to return to action this upcoming weekend at the UM Softball Field, with Mobile hosting SSAC opponents Brewton-Parker College (Ga.) and Middle Georgia State on Friday and Saturday, Apr. 5-6.
The weekend kicks off with a 3:00 p.m. CT doubleheader against Brewton-Parker on Friday, followed by a 2:00 p.m. CT doubleheader against Middle Georgia State on Saturday. All games will be broadcasted live on the University of Mobile Sports Network.
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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.
