Falcons Sweep Doubleheader over No. 34 Carson-Newman

MONTEVALLO, Ala. - The University of Montevallo baseball team (4-2) used a pair of come from behind victories to defeat No. 34 Carson-Newman College (4-2) 6-4 and 6-5. The Falcons were led on the day by junior Kevin Garcia (Vega Baja, Puerto Rico/Gulf Coast C.C.) who was 3-for-7 with two homeruns and a double while driving in four runs.

Junior Nelson Garcia, Jr. (Tampa, Fla./Sickles) was 2-of-5 with an RBI while classmate Andy Revell (Albertville, Ala./Snead State C.C.) was 2-of-6 with a homerun and three RBIs. Junior Cory Luckie (Fairhope, Ala./Bevill State C.C.) drove in a pair of runs while going 2-of-7 with a double. Freshman Duston Daugherty (Hoover, Ala./Hoover) was 2-for-2 with a double and an RBI as well.

On the mound seniors Brandon Aldridge (Vestavia, Ala./Vestavia Hills) and Heath Wilson (Boaz, Ala./Boaz) picked up victories. Aldridge went 5.2 innings with three strikeouts and a walk while Wilson went 0.2 of an inning while giving up just one hit. Freshman Mitch Holcombe (Oak Grove, Ala./Oak Grove) pitched 2.0 scoreless innings while picking up a save. Sophomore Stephen Taylor (Clanton, Ala./Chilton County) and junior Justin Aaron (Morris, Ala./Jefferson State C.C.) each picked up a start. Taylor went 2.0 innings with three strikeouts while Aaron went 1.1 innings with three walks.

The Falcons fell behind early in game one giving up three runs over the first two innings. The Eagles tacked on another run in the top of the fifth to go ahead 4-0 before the Falcons began their comeback. In the bottom of the fifth the Falcons picked up two quick outs but recovered as Chase Fowler (Sylacauga, Ala./Central Alabama C.C.) reached on an error by the shortstop and advanced all the way to second as the bad throw left the field. Garcia, Jr. then singled to left field to drive Fowler home to make the score 4-1 after five.

Two innings later the Falcon offense came alive. After a quick first out sophomore Joe Prokop (Clanton, Ala./Chilton County) drew a walk and was followed by a two-run homerun by Revell over the left field fence to cut the lead to 4-3. After a quick pitching change Kevin Garcia stepped to the plate and blasted a solo homerun over left center to tie the game at four. Garcia was followed by an out but then Garcia, Jr. singled to the left side and drew another pitching change. Senior Jeremy Jones (Troy, Ala./Lurleen B. Wallace C.C.) then drew a walk to make it first and second with two outs. Luckie stepped up and nailed a two-run double to left field to open up a 6-4 lead for the Falcons.

The score would remain the same the rest of the way as Aldridge picked up the win and Holcombe the save.

In game two the Falcons once again found themselves trailing after the first two innings this time by a score of 2-0. In the bottom of the third, Garcia, Jr. reached on a fielder's choice, stole second and then advanced to third on a wild pitch. He was then driven home by Jones to cut the lead to 2-1. The Eagles added two more runs in the fourth to put the Falcons in a familiar place, trailing 4-1 with just four innings remaining.

In the bottom of the fourth the Falcons were able to load the bases with no outs. Two quick strikeouts made it bases loaded with two outs and Daugherty drew a walk to make the score 4-2.

With just six outs left for them to score the Falcons got what they needed in the sixth inning. Revell was hit by a pitch to open up the inning and was followed by Garcia who hit another long ball over the right field fence to tie the game at 4-4.

Carson-Newman would not buckle under pressure as they scored a go-ahead run in the seventh to make it just three outs away from a win.

The Falcons opened up the seventh with a strikeout and things were looking grim but then the second baseman bobbled a ball to allow Dustin Rhodes (Starkville, Miss./Starkville) to take first. Josh Headley then stepped in as a pinch runner. Senior Ryan Norman (Hoover, Ala./Hoover) singled through the left side to move Headley to third. Revell then reached on a bunt single and Headley scored while Norman moved to second. Freshman Brett Roney (Wetumpka, Ala./Wetumpka) then stepped in as a pinch runner for Norman and with an out and runners on first and second up stepped Garcia who drove a ball down the left field line to score Roney and win the game.

The Falcons will be back in action Tuesday, Feb. 10 at 3:00 p.m. as they travel to No. 12 Delta State University.