Rams Open Up Season With a Bang

MOBILE, Ala-- It's Mardi Gras time in Mobile and that means there are plenty parades around town. To open the 2008 season, the University of Mobile baseball team put on a hit parade and pounded out a 16-7 win at home over Gulf Coast Athletic Conference foe Loyola University.

Things got off to a shaky start for the Rams, as the Wolfpack opened the top half of the first by pushing across 2 runs thanks to a walk, wild pitch and 3 stolen bases. But, Mobile answered that production and then some, by rallying for a 6-spot in the bottom half of the inning.

Newcomers Nelson Curry and Stephen Stork got their Ram careers started in fine fashion by tripling and doubling to lead off the frame and open the scoring. Nine more batters followed, and Mobile picked up 2 more extra base hits, including a 2-run double from Carlos Romero. Curry picked up 2 hits in the frame.

After pushing across another run the following inning, Mobile put the game away in the 3rd when 2007 All-Region selection Brett Barber swatted a 3-run dinger to put Mobile to a comfy 11-2 lead.

From there, the teams traded runs until the 16-7 final. Ira Turner picked up the win for Mobile by going going 3 innings out of the pen in his Mobile debut. Turner struck out 2 and allowed 3 runs.

On the day, Barber 4-6 with 3 RBI on that big homer in the 3rd, Stork finished 4-5 with 4 runs scored, Jared Baria collected 3 hits, and David Cramblitt drove in 3 to help fuel the offensive machine.

Mobile is now 1-0 on the season and will host the Wolfpack for a twin bill Saturday, February 2 beginning at 12:00. Fans can watch and listen live on the internet thanks to B2 Networks. The cost will be $10 for a double header or $6 for an individual game.

Fans need high speed internet and an updated version of Windows Media Player to view the game online. The game will be available for purchase about 10 minutes before game time.

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