Falcons Win Opener at Arkansas-Monticello, 4-2

MONTICELLO, Ark. - The University of Montevallo baseball team (6-3-1) won the opening game at the University of Arkansas-Monticello (1-5-1), 4-2 before going into extra innings in game two and having the game called a tie due to lack of lights. The second game ended 4-4. The Falcons were led in game one by junior Kevin Garcia (Vega Baja, Puerto Rico/Gulf Coast C.C.) who went 2-of-3 with a run scored and two stolen bases.

Juniors Chris Sosebee (Warrior, Ala./Jefferson State C.C.) and Cory Luckie (Fairhope, Ala./Bevill State C.C.) each went 1-of-2 and picked up an RBI. Luckie scored twice and hit a homerun as well. Sophomore Mat Turner (Louisville, Ky./Labette C.C.) picked up his first win of the season in relief. He pitched 3.2 shutout innings while giving up just one hit and striking out six.

Junior Caleb McLeod (Pleasant Grove, Ala./Shelton State C.C.) started the game on the mound and went 3.0 innings while striking out three and giving up just two hits.

In game two, junior Andy Revell (Albertville, Ala./Snead State C.C.) led the way going 3-of-4 with two RBIs and a double. Sosebee came back with a 2-for-3 performance with a pair of doubles and a run scored. Seniors Ryan Norman (Hoover, Ala./Hoover) and Chase Fowler (Sylacauga, Ala./Central Alabama C.C.) each added an RBI as they each went 1-for-2.

Junior John Michael Caraway (Trussville, Ala./Gadsden State C.C.) got the start on the mound going 3.1 innings while giving up just three hits and striking out five. Junior Justin Aaron (Morris, Ala./Jefferson State C.C.) struck out five in 3.0 innings of work while giving up just one hit.

In game one, the two teams combined for just seven hits as it was a pitchers duel out in Arkansas. The Falcons struck first in the top of the second as two errors led to Garcia scoring with two outs on the board.

The Boll Weevils responded in the bottom half with a lead-off homerun to tie the game at one.

The very next inning the Falcons Luckie hit as solo shot out to give the Falcons the advantage once again, 2-1. The Boll Weevils tied the game up in the bottom of the fourth off a double that scored a runner from first.

The Falcons finally took the game under control in the top of the fifth as Nelson Garcia, Jr. (Tampa, Fla./Sickles) led off by reaching on an error by the third baseman. Senior Jeremy Jones (Troy, Ala./Lurleen B. Wallace C.C.) sacrificed him over to second and then Garcia, Jr. promptly stole third. Luckie drew a walk to make it first and third with just one out.  Sosebee stepped up and hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield, scoring Garcia, Jr.

Seniors Dustin Rhodes (Starkville, Miss./Starkville) and Norman drew back-to-back walks to load the bases with two outs. During the very next pitching sequence Luckie was able to score on a wild pitch to make the game 4-2. The Falcons were unable to convert any more runs but four was enough as the pitching shut down the Boll Weevils the rest of the way.

In game two the Falcons struck first in the second inning as Fowler hit an RBI singe to right field. Two innings later a pair of singles from Garcia and Revell led to another run giving the Falcons a 2-0 lead.

The Boll Weevils scored their first three runs in the bottom of the fourth to take a 3-2 lead. The Falcons responded just two innings later scoring a pair of runs of three hits including a double from Sosebee.

UAM tied the game up in the bottom of the seventh to push the game into extra innings and the two teams battled through two more innings before the game was called due to lack of daylight.

The Falcons will be back in action tomorrow, Feb. 15 at 12:00 p.m. as they take on Arkansas-Monticello once again.