Falcons Split Doubleheader with Arkansas-Monticello

MONTICELLO, Ark. - The University of Montevallo baseball team (7-4-1) once again took on the University of Arkansas-Monticello (2-6-1) today (Feb. 15) and earned a split with the Boll Weevils, 3-4 and 7-5. The Falcons were paced on the day by junior Andy Revell's (Albertville, Ala./Snead State C.C.) five RBIs off four doubles. Freshman pitcher Mitch Holcombe (Oak Grove, Ala./Oak Grove) picked up the lone win on the day after four innings of work with four strikeouts.

The Falcons opened the doubleheader with a 4-3 loss as the Boll Weevils scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth to win. In game two the Falcons came from behind to win 7-5.

Senior Ryan Norman (Hoover, Ala./Hoover) was 4-of-6 at the plate with two doubles and three runs scored while Revell was 4-of-7 with his four doubles and five RBIs. Freshman Brett Roney (Wetumpka, Ala./Wetumpka), juniors Kevin Garcia (Vega Baja, Puerto Rico/Gulf Coast C.C.) and Chris Sosebee (Warrior, Ala./Jefferson State C.C.) and senior Jeremy Jones (Troy, Ala./Lurleen B. Wallace C.C.) each added two hits a piece. Garcia's two hits were a double and a homerun.

In game one the Falcons struck first with two runs in the top of the third. Sosebee singled to left field with two outs and was followed by a two-run homerun by Garcia. The Boll Weevils cut the lead to just one in the bottom half of the inning off two hits.

The Falcons added an insurance run in the fifth as a pair of UAM errors led to a run for the Falcons. Down 3-1 the Boll Weevils found their stroke in the bottom of the sixth as they pieced together two hits and an error to put up three runs and take a 4-3 lead. The Falcons were unable to respond in the seventh and fell, 4-3.

Senior Brandon Aldridge (Vestavia, Ala./Vestavia Hills) picked up the loss as his record fell to 2-1 on the season. He pitched 5.2 innings while striking out five and giving up just two earned runs. Junior Kyle Johanson (Bowman, Ga./Gordon College) pitched the final third of an inning while striking out the only batter he faced.

In game two the Falcons feel behind 3-1 after just three innings. The Falcons lone run came in the second as a pair of doubles by Norman and Revell led to a run. The Boll Weevils scored two runs in the second and added another in the third.

The Falcon comeback began in the fourth as Norman singled to center field with two outs. He was followed by Revell who doubled to center as well and scored Norman. Roney then stepped up and singled to left field to score Revell and tie the game 3-3. That was all the damage that could be done in the fourth but the Falcons were far from done.

In the fifth UM used some two-out magic once again. With two outs and Jones on third UAM intentionally walked Garcia then walked Norman to get to the hot-hitting Revell. Revell did what he had been doing the entire day, doubled to left center scoring all three runners and giving the Falcons a 6-3 lead.

That would be all the Falcons needed to win but they would add one more run in the sixth as Jones singled to drive home Roney and give UM a 7-3 lead. The Boll Weevils scored two more in the sixth to cut the lead to two but in stepped junior Taylor Edwards (Pleasant Grove, Ala./Northwest Shoals C.C.) who shut down the offense and picked up the 1.1 inning save.

Holcombe picked up the win improving his record to 2-1 as he pitched 4.0 innings and struck out four.

The Falcons will be back in action Wednesday, Feb. 18 at 3:00 p.m. as they travel to Columbus State University.