MOBILE USES UP ALL NINE LIVES AGAINST THOMAS UNIVERSITY IN
THRILLING WIN
DECATUR, Ala. – Top-seeded
University of Mobile (Ala.) (51-6-1) picked up their seventh win
against Thomas University this season and their most important
win at that (Ga.) (44-15) as they defeated the Nighthawks 2-1 to
stay alive in the 23rd annual NAIA Softball National
Championships held at the Wilson Morgan Softball Complex in
Decatur, Alabama. Meeting for the ninth time this season, the #1
seed flirted with elimination as Thomas tied the score 1-1 in
the top of the sixth inning and nearly blew the bottom of the
seventh go-ahead win.
With bases loaded, one out, and Rams 5th-leading
batter Denisse Fuenmayor (.327) up to bat, Nighthawks pitcher
Mariangee Bogado seemed poised to pull out of the bind as she
struck out her Venezuelan National Team teammate. That brought
up Meredith Tanner who was held hitless on her two previous at
bats.
Third time was a charm however as Tanner
singled to bring in Sylvia Bedgood for the game-winning run and
a date with the winner of Oklahoma Baptist University versus
Houston Baptist University, tomorrow at noon.
Mobile freshman phenomenon Kirby Baxter
(24-1) pitched another solid game as she gave up two hits,
issuing three free passes and one earned run while striking out
two in just over five innings of work.
A Stephanie Dixon RBI that scored Tania
Black was enough for Rams coach Becky Clark to call upon Senior
Missy Passley to come in for Baxter in the top of the sixth and
finish out the game.
Thomas University, who was making their
tournament debut, ends a stellar season in which they broke the
top five in the national rankings and introduced their star
pitcher Mariangee Bogado to the NAIA elite.
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