WILSON MORGAN SOFTBALL COMPLEX | DECATUR, Ala. - After an extra inning walk-off victory over Brewton-Parker College (Ga.) opened the 2024 SSAC Softball Championship Tournament for the University of Mobile Softball team, the Rams were back in action with two games on Friday, May 3 with hopes in advancing to the championship round on Saturday in Decatur, Ala.
However, Mobile fell in both games played on Friday, and was eliminated from this year's double-elimination conference tournament. The overall record on the 2024 season following Friday's results drops to 30-16 as the Rams await their fate in earning an at-large bid to the NAIA Softball National Championship Opening Round.
Friday Blues for Mobile
Mobile entered this year's conference tournament as the No. 3 seed, facing the No. 2 seed and defending conference champions Middle Georgia State to begin Friday's action. The Knights of MGA quickly hit the scoreboard in the bottom of the first inning with a pair of runs, immediately putting pressure in the Mobile dugout.
The Rams eventually hit the board in the top of the fifth inning following a bases-loaded walk drawn by Gracie Vanderford, while later tying the game one inning later after an RBI single by Caitlin McRee in the top half of the sixth. Tied 2-2, the game went to extra innings after a weather delay, with the Rams playing their second consecutive extra-inning contest in this year's postseason run.
After a scoreless eighth and top of the ninth in extras, Middle Georgia State's Summer Lawrence led off the bottom of the ninth with a loud triple off the wall, scoring the game-winning run one batter later following a sacrifice fly. Mobile dropped to the losers' bracket after a 3-2 loss to the Knights and was set to face the No. 9 seed of Blue Mountain Christian later on Friday evening after the day's second lengthy weather delay.
Mobile out-hit Middle Georgia State 12-8 in the loss, led by Caitlin McRee with a 3-for-5 line at the plate. Gracie Vanderford, Bethany Dean, and Kristen Black all notched two hits each. As a team, Mobile stranded 15 runners on base in the one-run loss.
In the elimination game against Blue Mountain later that night, Mobile opened the scoring with a single run in the bottom of the third inning after a sacrifice fly from Megan McCartney. From there, Friday's nightcap became a pitchers' duel between Mobile's Emily Butts and three pitchers on Blue Mountain's side.
Butts was on cruise control against the Toppers, needing just three outs for a 1-0 win after tossing six scoreless frames. However, Blue Mountain rallied in the seventh with two runs to grab a one-run lead, eventually keeping the Rams scoreless in the bottom half of the inning to upset and eliminate Mobile, 2-1.
Both teams tallied just three hits each, while leaving four runners on base. Megan McCartney finished 1-for-2 with Mobile's lone run driven in, and Erin Degruise and Bethany Dean finished 1-for-3. For Emily Butts, the fifth-year senior tossed a complete-game effort, striking out eight and seeing both runs earned in the seventh.
What's Next
After Mobile's early exit in this year's SSAC Championship Tournament, chances on making the 2024 NAIA Softball National Tournament have decreased, but not evaporated entirely. The Rams, who rank No. 18 in the country, will await the selection show scheduled for Tuesday, May 7 at 4:00 p.m. CT.
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.
