Montevallo Late Comeback Falls Short at No. 13 North Alabama

FLORENCE, Ala. - The University of Montevallo baseball team (21-15-1, 3-6 GSC East) was unable to overcome a slow start as the No. 13 University of North Alabama (24-13, 3-3 GSC East) pulled away late, 12-6. The Falcons were led by a strong performance from senior Ryan Norman (Hoover, Ala./Hoover) who went 3-for-4 at the plate with two homeruns, two RBI, two runs scored and a walk. Junior Kevin Garcia (Vega Baja, Puerto Rico/Gulf Coast C.C.) also picked up three hits going 3-for-5 with a run scored.

Junior Cory Luckie (Fairhope, Ala./Bevill State C.C.) was 2-for-4 with a homerun, a double, two RBI and two runs scored. Junior Andy Revell (Albertville, Ala./Snead State C.C.) picked up Montevallo's other RBI as he hit a double.

On the mound senior Brandon Aldridge (Vestavia Hills, Ala./Vestavia Hills) got the start going 2.2 innings while suffering the loss. His record falls to 2-4 on the season. He was relieved by freshman Wes Rich (Pelham, Ala./Pelham) who went 4.1 scoreless innings as he struck out four and allowed the Falcons to make their comeback. The final two pitchers for the Falcons were junior Michael Fields (Belleville, Ill./Southwestern Illinois C.C.) and freshman Matthew Rickels (Cahaba Heights, Ala./Spain Park). The two combined for one inning while striking out one.

The Lions jumped out early as they posted three runs in the first and then two more in the second. The Falcons responded with a run in the third as senior Dustin Rhodes (Starkville, Miss./Starkville) reached first after being hit by a pitch to open up the inning. Freshman Brett Roney (Wetumpka, Ala./Wetumpka) followed by reaching on an error by the catcher as he tried to sacrifice Rhodes to second. Two batters later with runners on first and second and two outs Revell hit a double to left field that scored Roney and was just shy of scoring freshman Duston Daugherty (Hoover, Ala./Hoover) as he was gunned down at the plate.

The Lions quickly recovered with three runs in the bottom half to push their lead to 8-1. Both teams went scoreless in the fourth and fifth innings before the Falcons struck again in the sixth. Norman led off with a solo homerun and then a batter later Luckie hit a double. Roney then singled a batter later to push Luckie to third who scored on an error by the shortstop.

Down 8-3 the Falcons jumped back into the game in the eighth as Norman once again led off with a solo homerun to cut the lead to four. Garcia then singled and was followed by a two-run homerun by Luckie to make the score 8-6 heading into the bottom of the eighth.

The Lions did not wilt as they put up four runs in the bottom half to push their lead to 12-6. The Falcons were unable to respond as they fell 12-6.

The Falcons will return to action Saturday, April 4 at 1 p.m. as they host the University of Alabama-Huntsville.