Mobile, Ala. – The No. 1-ranked
University of Mobile softball team (49-5-1) defeated 4th-ranked
Thomas University 2-1, and 7-1 to repeat as Region 13 tournament
champions. Behind strong pitching performances by All-Region
team members Kirby Baxter (23-1) and Missy Passley (25-4), the
Rams should be the top seed in the NAIA National Tournament
which begins play Friday, May 16 in Decatur, AL.
“The best is yet to come,” Coach Clark
said. “I can see it in them that they’re determined to get it
done. When we leave this field here today, we have to make up
our mind to win a national championship in Decatur. We have to
have that mindset. We definitely have the talent; it’s just a
matter of whether we’re going to be tough enough.”
In the early afternoon game, Maria Soto
drove in Sylvia Bedgood and Brenda Box to take a 2-0 lead in the
bottom of the first inning. Giving up a homerun in the top of
the sixth, Missy Passley came in for Kirby Baxter in the seventh
to hold on for the win.
Baxter gave a stellar performance striking
out two while only giving up one hit and two walks in six
innings of work. Passley struck out her first two batters faced
in the seventh and forced a pop to Denisse Fuenmayor at
shortstop to earn the save.
In the nightcap, the Rams were down 1-0 after giving up an unearned run in
the bottom of the first. Mobile immediately responded with three runs in
the top of the second inning and never looked back as they won
handily 7-1.
Lindsey Allen, who got the Rams on the
scoreboard in the top of the second, helped lead Mobile as she
went 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Winter Guthrie and Sylvia Bedgood
each going 2-for-3 with one RBI and one run scored also turned
in solid performances.
Next week’s double-elimination national
tournament will feature 20 teams from 14 regions, one host berth
and five at-large berths.
“We know we have a tough road ahead of us,”
Coach Clark said. “There are going to be 19 other very strong
teams. We have to stay focused on the little things: hard work,
hustle, and team work. If we do these things, I feel we have a
good chance.”
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