Falcons Lose Heartbreaker to No. 17 Delta State, 5-4

MONTEVALLO, Ala. - Heading into the ninth inning with a 4-3 lead and a pitcher who had pitched the last four innings without giving up an earned run, the University of Montevallo baseball team (22-23-1) felt confident it could upend the No. 17 Delta State University (28-13) Statesmen. Three errors and two runs later the Falcons found themselves on the other end of the scale trailing 5-4 heading into the bottom of the inning. The Falcons were unable to respond and fell by the slimmest of margins, 5-4.

Leading the way for the Falcons was junior Kevin Garcia (Vega Baja, Puerto Rico/Gulf Coast C.C.) who had two clutch hits that accounted for all four runs scored by the Falcons. Freshman Duston Daugherty (Hoover, Ala./Hoover) and junior Andy Revell (Albertville, Ala./Snead State C.C.) also chipped in two hits each.

The Falcons pitchers held strong only giving up two earned runs to the potent offense of Delta State. Freshman Wes Rich (Pelham, Ala./Pelham) took the mound to open the game mowing down three Statesmen batters while walking four and giving up just three hits. Junior Justin Aaron (Morris, Ala./Jefferson State C.C.) took over after 4.0 innings and pitched the remaining 5.0 innings while striking out five and walking four. He took home the loss despite giving up no earned runs.

The Statesmen jumped ahead early as they scored a run in each of the first two innings. The Falcons responded with two runs in the third as they loaded the bases off singles from Daugherty and Revell and a walk from senior Ryan Norman (Hoover, Ala./Hoover). Garcia then singled to right center to drive home Daugherty and Revell and tie the game at two.

The Statesmen retook the lead in the seventh with a run in the top of the inning, In the bottom half Garcia came through once again driving home senior Jeremy Jones (Troy, Ala./Lurleen B. Wallace C.C.) and Norman with a double to right center to take a 4-3 lead.

Delta State then took advantage of three Montevallo errors and a pair of walks to score two runs in the ninth without a hit. The Falcons were unable to reach base in the bottom half falling 5-4.

The Falcons will return to action tomorrow, April 15 at 3:00 p.m. as they finish their series with No. 17 Delta State.