UM SOFTBALL FIELD | MOBILE, Ala. - In the first conference games of the 2025 season, the University of Mobile Softball team split a Friday doubleheader with conference rival William Carey (Miss.) on Feb. 21 in what was tabbed as the SSAC Softball Series of the Week. Friday's doubleheader featured two ranked teams in the NAIA, with William Carey beginning the year at No. 14 and Mobile opening the season ranked No. 20.
The Crusaders managed an extra-inning comeback win to begin action on Friday at the UM Softball Field, while Mobile answered with a shutout win in the nightcap. The Rams saw the overall record move to 6-1 following Friday's results.
Game One: William Carey Wins in Nine
Mobile started strong, scoring a run in the second inning to take an early lead over the Crusaders. From there, the Rams added an insurance run in the sixth while Mobile starting pitcher Avery Harrell kept the Crusaders off the scoreboard through the first six innings. However, William Carey rallied with two outs in the seventh and final inning, pushing across three runs to take the lead.
Mobile battled back in the bottom half of the seventh, tying the game to force extra innings. Both teams recorded a scoreless eighth inning, but William Carey managed to score the game-winning run in the ninth inning to seal the victory.
Mobile recorded nine hits compared to William Carey's seven but struggled to convert opportunities into runs, leaving 10 runners on base. Madilyn Sheffield, Gracie Mitchell, and Miah Simmons each recorded two hits in the game one loss, while Sheffield, Lillie Lanham, and Carleigh Bowden recorded RBIs.
In the pitcher's circle, Avery Harrell finished with seven innings of work, while Katelynn Kempton was hit with the loss on the rubber with two innings pitched in extras.
Game Two: Mobile Blanks William Carey
In game two, the two teams put together a pitching duel which saw the game finish in less than two hours. A William Carey throwing error in the first inning cost the Crusaders in the end as Mobile used a 1-0 win to split Friday's doubleheader.
On the rubber, Mobile's Riley Smith managed seven strong innings of four-hit softball, while striking out six batters. At the plate, Gracie Mitchell led the charge offensively, finishing 2-for-3 with the lone run scored. Lucy Spisto, Megan McCartney, and Lillie Lanham all notched one hit in the win as Mobile out-hit the Crusaders, 5-4.
What's Ahead
Mobile is set for another home doubleheader next week, coming against Stillman College (Ala.) on Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 26. Wednesday's two games are non-conference contests, scheduled for 2:00 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.
