Mobile, Ala. – The 2^nd-ranked University of Mobile Rams softball team (43-5) avenged a double-header sweep suffered at the hands of Thomas University (37-10) earlier this week by returning the favor winning 1-0, and 9-1 in a mercy-ruled 5^th inning. Missy Passley (20-4) edged out Venezuelan national team member Mariangee Bogado (14-4) in the first game, and in the nightcap Kirby Baxter (22-1) got quick run support as the Rams completed a sweep over the 4^th-ranked Nighthawks.

“We definitely needed a sweep on our home field,” Coach Becky Clark commented afterwards. “We addressed all week long things we did wrong. When we got swept over there we didn’t play very smart. Today we played hard, we played smart and we played together. That’s been our motto the last few days; playing smart and making good decisions. And wow, two great efforts out of the kids and they stepped up.”

Another dominating performance by Missy Passley (7 IP, 2 H, and 10 SO) kept the Nighthawks at bay while Teal Boothe (1-for-2) drove in Denisse Fuenmayor in the bottom of the 5^th.

Bogado gave the Nighthawks seven tremendous innings, striking out four while only giving up two hits.

In the nightcap the Rams opened with four runs in the first inning and never looked back as they led wire-to-wire in a mercy-ruled 5^th inning 9-1 win.

Mobile, who got tremendous performance at the plate from the entire line-up, was led by Lindsey Allen (1-for-3 with 3 RBIs), Brenda Box (2-for-3 with 2 RBIs), Maria Soto (1-for-3 with 1 RBI) and Sylvia Bedgood (2-for-3 with 1 RBI and 3 stolen bases).

Perhaps the biggest story of the day surrounded Mobile freshman phenomenon Kirby Baxter who had to be taken out of the second game of last Monday’s sweep against Thomas after giving up three quick runs in the bottom of the second.

“Getting to this time of the season, you don’t want to show your No. 1 pitcher more than you have to,” Coach Clark said. “Kirby getting through today’s game was huge. We needed her to step up today and I feel she really did.”

Kirby Baxter struck out three while giving up one run, three hits and three walks in five innings of work.

Mobile will play host to a double-header exhibition against Shelton State Community College Monday, April 21, starting at 4 p.m. The GCAC/Independent conference tournament gets underway April 25 at Founders Park in Fairhope, Alabama.

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