UM SOFTBALL FIELD | MOBILE, Ala. - The University of Mobile Softball team returned home and managed a doubleheader sweep over conference foe Brewton-Parker College (Ga.) on Friday afternoon, Apr. 5, improving to 22-9 overall on the season and 13-3 in the SSAC.
Mobile used a walk-off victory to open the doubleheader on Friday, defeating the Barons 2-1 in the process, while winning 6-2 across game two to wrap up the afternoon. The Rams sit atop of the current SSAC Softball standings following Friday's results.
Rams Snap Barons' Win Streak
Entering Friday, Brewton-Parker put together a five-game winning streak over the last two weeks prior to facing Mobile, but saw that winning streak snapped following a walk-off win for the Rams in game one. Mobile and Brewton-Parker began the afternoon doubleheader with a pitchers' dual as Mobile's Emily Butts and Brewton-Parker's Natalie O'Neal finished with complete game performances from the circle. Butts eventually got the better of O'Neal, earning the win after O'Neal allowed a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the seventh inning to end the game. Gracie Vanderford was credited with the game-winning RBI.
Prior to Mobile's walk-off walk in the seventh, the Rams hit the scoreboard first back in the bottom of the second inning when Madi Robertson lined a ball to center field. The Barons' center fielder Riley Lumley overran the ball that Robertson hit and saw the ball ricochet off her glove for an error, while allowing Robertson a trip around the bases for the game's first run. Brewton-Parker responded next half inning, however, evening the score, 1-1. From there, the two starting pitchers combined shut down the offense until Mobile's game-winner in the seventh.
Lillie Lanham led the charge on the offensive side for Mobile, finishing 3-for-3 at the plate and scoring the winning run following Vanderford's walk. Lanham recorded three singles to all fields in the game-one win. Mobile's other hit came from lead-off batter Megan McCartney, who was later caught stealing following her single to right field. In the pitcher's circle, Emily Butts improved to 9-5 with a complete-game effort, allowing just three hits and striking out two.
Later on Friday, the offense picked up for both teams across game two, with both sides pushing across a run in the first inning. After Brewton-Parker scored one run off two hits and a walk to open the game, the Rams responded with three hits and a run in the bottom half of the first. Miah Simmons was credited with the game-tying RBI following a double to right field.
One inning later, Mobile once again produced base runners and saw Simmons drive a deep ball to the right center field wall for a three-run double. In just two innings, Simmons recorded two doubles and four RBIs to begin game two. Meanwhile, sophomore starting pitcher Avery Harrell settled in nicely for Mobile from the rubber, pitching three scoreless innings following the one-run first. Harrell did allow an additional run to score in the fifth, cutting Mobile's lead down to two runs.
However, the Mobile offense added two more insurance runs next half inning, coming off the bat of second-year Ram and pinch-hitter Madalyn Roberts. Roberts' pinch-hit performance was her first at-bat as a Mobile Ram, with the redshirt sophomore driving in two runs following a double to left center field. From there, Harrell tossed two more scoreless frames to lead Mobile to victory, 6-2.
Harrell improved to 6-2 from the circle this season, allowing eight hits and striking out nine Barons. Mobile collected seven hits as a team, led by Miah Simmons and Megan McCartney with two hits a piece. Lillie Lanham added a hit and a walk, reaching base a total of five times in the doubleheader sweep.
More Home Action on Saturday
The Rams will look to carry momentum from Friday's sweep to Saturday as No. 14 Mobile hosts No. 21 Middle Georgia State for a doubleheader at the UM Softball Field. Saturday's doubleheader is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. CT.
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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.
