Falcons Fall in Final GSC Game of the Year to Valdosta State

MONTEVALLO, Ala. - The University of Montevallo baseball team (22-27-1, 4-14 GSC East) dropped its final Gulf South Conference contest to Valdosta State University (34-16, 9-7 GSC East), 16-3. The Falcons will move to the Peach belt Conference next season and will get an early look at the competition as they play to PBC schools in the upcoming week. Freshman Brett Roney (Wetumpka, Ala./Wetumpka) shined on senior day as he went 2-for-3 with a double and a homerun.

Senior Dustin Rhodes (Starkville, Miss./Starkville) was 1-for-3 with a double and a run scored. Juniors Kevin Garcia (Vega Baja, Puerto Rico/Gulf Coast C.C.) and Cory Luckie (Fairhope, Ala./Bevill State C.C.) each picked up a hit as well. Freshman Wes Rich (Pelham, Ala./Pelham) got the start on the mound and pitched the first 2.2 innings while striking out one and walking another. He took home the loss. Junior Heath Tapscott (Hartselle, Ala./UAB) pitched the next 1.1 innings and was followed by senior Brandon Aldridge (Vestavia Hills, Ala./Vestavia Hills) who closed out the final 3.0 innings.

Tapscott struck out one and walked another while Aldridge walked a pair.

The Falcons honored their six seniors prior to the game including Rhodes, Aldridge, Ryan Norman (Hoover, Ala./Hoover), Heath Wilson (Boaz, Ala./Boaz), Chase Fowler (Sylacauga, Ala./Central Alabama C.C.) and Jeremy Jones (Troy, Ala./Lurleen B. Wallace C.C.).

The Blazers jumped out to an early 5-0 lead before the Falcons struck in the second with three runs as Luckie singled and then was drove to third by a Rhodes double. Roney then hit a bomb to left field to score all three runners and cut the lead to 5-3.

The Blazers went on to score 11 unanswered runs over the next five innings to win 16-3 in seven.

The Falcons will return to action Tuesday, April 21 at 4:00 p.m. as they travel to Columbus State University.