Falcons Sweep Columbia Union, 5-3 and 6-0

MONTEVALLO, Ala. - The University of Montevallo baseball team (17-8-1) returned to its winning ways as the Falcons swept the Pioneers of Columbia Union College (3-6), 5-3 and 6-0. The Falcons were led by their pitching as the staff did not allow an earned run throughout the two games. Five pitchers combined for the Montevallo effort as they struck out 13 and allowed just 12 hits.

Juniors John Michael Caraway (Trussville, Ala./Gadsden State C.C.) and Taylor Edwards (Pleasant Grove, Ala./Northwest Shoals C.C.) led the way as they each picked up a win and pitched the first four innings of their respective games. Caraway had four strikeouts and no walks while giving up just two hits. Edwards had two strikeouts and a trio of walks while allowing just three hits. Sophomore Mat Turner (Louisville, Ky./Labette C.C.) picked up a rare three-inning save in the first game as he finished off the seven-inning game with two strikeouts and two walks.

Sophomore Stephen Taylor (Clanton, Ala./Chilton County) and junior Kyle Johanson (Bowman, Ga./Gordon College) relieved Edwards in game two pitching a combined 3.0 innings while striking out five and walking just one.

At the plate the Falcons were led by junior Kevin Garcia (Vega Baja, Puerto Rico/Gulf Coast C.C.) who went 4-for-5 with a homerun, five RBI and a run scored. Junior Cory Luckie (Fairhope, Ala./Bevill State C.C.) went 3-for-5 with a double, an RBI and a run scored. Senior Chase Fowler (Sylacauga, Ala./Central Alabama C.C.) was 3-for-6 with a homerun and two RBI to round out the multiple hit performers.

The Falcons struck early in game one as Garcia hit a two-out RBI single to score freshman Brett Roney (Wetumpka, Ala./Wetumpka). Two innings later the Falcons put up a three spot as Luckie doubled to center field to score junior Chris Sosebee (Warrior, Ala./Jefferson State C.C.) and was followed by Fowler who hit a two-RBI homerun to left field all with two outs.

UM tacked on one more run in the fifth Sosebee hit a solo homerun over the left centerfield fence to make the score 5-0.

The Pioneers attempted a comeback in the sixth as they scored three runs off of three hits and a costly Montevallo error. That would be all they could muster as the Falcons shut them down in the seventh to take home a 5-3 victory.

In game two the Falcons waited till the third inning to put up some runs as they scored four. Senior Jeremy Jones (Troy, Ala./Lurleen B. Wallace C.C.) got the scoring started as he crossed the plate due to a CUC error. A few batters later Garcia stepped to the plate with runners on first and third with two outs, he then sent a ball deep over the right centerfield fence to make the score 4-0.

The Falcons tacked on another run in the fifth as Garcia singled in junior Andy Revell (Albertville, Ala./Snead State C.C.). They added another in the sixth as freshman Josh Headley (Gardendale, Ala./Gardendale) scored on a Roney grounder.

UM shut down the Pioneers offense as the Falcons picked up their first shutout of the season.

The Falcons return to action tomorrow, March 11 at 1 p.m. as they conclude their series with Columbia Union College.