Mobile, Alabama- So hear me out here, I know we had Mobile just about two weeks ago, I know. The original plan was two highlight a series in Kentucky but the new ratings changed that quickly. This series here in the Southern States deserves some praise, the poster child for the SSAC has fallen off for the meantime (but they always seem to find themselves when it matters most), but there is a high level of baseball being played in this conference that has a national impact.
Who’s Playing
#8 Mobile (20-4/ 6-0) has been great this season, and likely been the biggest surprise to this point in the season. #14 Loyola (20-9/ 7-2) continues their ascension into being a regular in the postseason, looking for a third straight trip to the national tournament. Both of these team are ranked in the top 15, and each of them is looking to add to their resumes for the postseason. This is a big one for both squads, as well as how the rest of the conference will shape up.
History
Let me tell you, this was eye opening stuff here… Mobile leads the all-time series 105-38. Their first meeting took place in 1991 in a 3-0 Mobile win, there has been 968 total runs scored, and the average amount of runs scored is 6.77. At Jacobs Field, Mobile is 57-9 all-time, and they are 92-30 in conference games vs Loyola. In their last 10 meetings the teams are 5-5, and Loyola has won 3 of their last 5 meetings. BUT Loyola has not won on the road versus Mobile since 2016.
Schedule
All times local-
Game 1- Friday 3/24 2p
Game 2- Saturday 3/25 1p
Game 3- Saturday 3/25 30 min after game 2
How to watch
Mobile does charge ($) per game.
The Teams
#8 Mobile (20-4/ 6-0) has been wildly impressive and is undefeated at home this year, a sterling 15-0. The Rams swing it well for a team average of .352, the team has 25 home runs, and 18 of those belong to just two players. Trevor Wells has hit 8 long balls, with 4 doubles, and 27 runs batted in this season for Mobile. Meanwhile Trevor Andrews has 10 homers, 6 doubles, 44 runs batted in, and is hitting .446 average this year. The lineup is deep and dangerous with 5 regulars hitting over .350avg, and 4 of them being over .400. On the mound the Rams have a 5.97 earned run average, 4 pitchers have started multiple games. The teams strength is its offense, nearly 250 hits in 24 games, 221 runs, slugging .552 as a team, and 56 doubles. The Rams will be a fun one to watch the rest of this season, already in their 2nd Big Series of the Week this year.
#14 Loyola (20-9/ 7-2) has been on the upswing since Jeremy Kennedy was brought in to lead the program in 2020. Kennedy is 1 of 5 (1 of 2 active) coaches ever to take 2 different programs to the World Series (2013 Northwood- TX, 2017 Keiser). Loyola on offense is hitting .307 as a squad, Brandon Mooney leads the Wolfpack with 49 hits, and is hitting .458avg this season. On the bump the Wolfpack has a staff earned run average of 4.42, and 5 different arms have started multiple games. This Wolfpack staff has a relatively young group, with 2 true freshman who make starts regularly. Stephen Still has been special this year, hes 4-0 in 42.1 innings pitched, allowing 27 hits, 9 earned runs, and striking out 53 for a 1.91 earned run average. It’ll be up to the Loyola arms to cool down the bats of Mobile.
Final Thoughts
Both of these programs have what it takes to make a late run in May. For the Rams the offense will carry them as it has for most of this season. And for Loyola the pitching has a lot of upside, overall the team is fairly young and still gaining experience. The Rams of Mobile have seen the biggest rise in the polls to date, and they started the year with a bang. Both of these teams will be jockeying for better position in the postseason, this series will be a good test and resume builder.
- Robby Gutierrez