DECATUR, Ala. -- The University of Mobile softball team (47-10) squeaked out a 5-4 win over William Penn University Friday morning in the first of four pool play games at the NAIA softball national tournament in Decatur, Alabama.

 

Meredith Tanner scored the game-winning run in the top of the seventh inning on a throwing error by William Penn third baseman Kristina McNew.  With the bases loaded and one out, Holly Knowles hit a shot to third base that was fielded by McNew whose wild throw allowed Tanner to score from third base and gave Mobile a 5-4 lead.

 

Linden Jones (19-4), who had come on in relief of Ann Marie Odum in the top of the sixth inning, allowed back-to-back singles with only one out in the bottom of the seventh inning putting the winning run on base before getting the next two William Penn hitters out to win the game.  Jones pitched the final two innings, allowing two hits and striking out five while winning her 19th game of the season.

 

Trailing 3-0 heading into the top of the fifth inning, Mayret Perez hit an 0-2 pitch over the right field fence for a home run cutting the lead to 3-2.  William Penn would respond with another run in the bottom of the inning to go ahead 4-2 but the Rams would answer the call in the top of the sixth inning with two more runs on two costly William Penn errors to tie the game at 4-4.

 

Mobile managed just five hits in the game but scored four un-earned runs on six William Penn errors.

 

The Rams will play again this afternoon at approximately 3:30 p.m. in their second pool play game of the day against William Woods University.

 

To keep up with all of the scores and results from the NAIA softball national tournament, click here.