MOBILE, Ala. - The University of Mobile Softball team, led by eighth-year head coach Alison Sellers-Cook, put on an impressive display to begin the 2025 season on Feb. 7-8, sweeping Spring Hill College (Ala.) in a doubleheader at the UM Softball Field on Friday night and claiming the series finale on Spring Hill's campus on Saturday.
Mobile begins the 2025 campaign 3-0 on the year, while dropping Spring Hill's record to 1-7 to begin the season.
Game 1: Mobile 6, Spring Hill 3
Mobile took the first game of the series 6-3 with a strong offensive performance, overcoming a late push from Spring Hill. The Rams collected 10 hits in the victory, while seeing the Badgers manage 11 hits. However, timely hitting made the difference for the Rams who used a three-run sixth inning to retake the lead one half inning after Spring Hill tied the ballgame.
Madilyn Sheffield went 2-for-3 with a pair of RBIs in the opener, while Miah Simmons finished 2-for-2 with a run driven in. Both players recorded RBI doubles in the sixth inning to put Mobile back in front. Carleigh Bowden, who missed the entire 2024 season due to injury, returned to the field with a 2-for-3 showing at the plate, also collecting an RBI.
In the pitcher's circle, Avery Harrell was awarded the start and tossed 5 1/3 innings, allowing eight hits and three runs, while picking up four strikeouts. First-year Ram Katelynn Kempton made her Mobile debut from out of the bullpen, finishing as the winning pitcher with 1 2/3 innings of work, allowing only three hits.
Game 2: Mobile 3, Spring Hill 0
The nightcap saw Mobile's pitching dominance as the Rams blanked Spring Hill in a 3-0 shutout. Newcomer Riley Smith began her career with Mobile with a four-hit complete game shutout, striking out six Badgers in the process. Meanwhile, the Mobile offense picked up seven hits in the win, while capitalizing on defensive miscues from Spring Hill, who committed three errors. Similar to game one, Mobile used a three-run sixth inning to seal the victory.
Miah Simmons finished 2-for-2 in the second game of the year, finishing the doubleheader with a 4-for-4 showing. Newcomers Gracie Mitchell and Lucy Spisto joined Simmons with a pair of hits each at the top of the lineup.
Game 3: Mobile 3, Spring Hill 1
The following day, Mobile continued the strong start to the season with a 3-1 victory over Spring Hill at Murray Field on Spring Hill's campus. The game remained scoreless through five innings before Mobile's offense came alive in the sixth for the third consecutive game, scoring all three runs.
Katelynn Kempton was awarded her first start as a Ram on the rubber, completing six shutout innings. Meanwhile, Avery Harrell notched her first save from the cirle on Saturday. Offensively, Samantha Landaiche, Madilyn Sheffield, and Heather Knowles led the charge with crucial RBIs in the sixth inning, with Landaiche finishing 2-for-3 at the plate. Lillie Lanham joined Landaiche with a pair of hits in the win. Overall, Mobile out-hit Spring Hill, 9-7.
What's Ahead
Mobile is set for additional doubleheader at the UM Softball Field on Wednesday, Feb. 12, coming against United States Sports Academy (Ala.). Wednesday's DH is set for 3:00 p.m. CT and 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.
