FROM STAFF REPORTS

MONTEVALLO – The University of Montevallo baseball team split a doubleheader with Georgia Southwestern State University on the first day of Peach Belt Conference play at Kermit A. Johnson Field for both teams Feb. 16.

The Falcons (4-5) defeated the Hurricanes 7-0 in the series opener before dropping the nightcap 3-1. The two teams battle in the final game of the series Feb. 17 at 1 p.m.

“Once again our pitching was exceptional,” said Montevallo coach Chandler Rose. “Mike and Josh were both just outstanding. I’m really proud how those guys threw the baseball today. We came up with a couple of big hits in the first game and just couldn’t get anything going in game two. Their kid threw a nice ball game but our guys have to make better adjustments at the plate than they did tonight. Tomorrow’s a big game and we have to come ready for the rubber match.”

Senior starter Michael Shreves (2-1) pitched a gem in the Falcons’ 7-0 win in the opener as he allowed just four hits with nine strikeouts and one walk in eight innings on the mound.

Freshman Aron McRee didn’t allow a baserunner in the ninth inning in relief.

Sophomore Zack Willoughby led the Falcons at the plate as he finished 3-for-4 and scored a pair of runs.

Sophomore Vinny Rodriguez went 2-for-3 at the plate and scored a pair of runs. Senior Austin Dubberly, who drove in two runs and scored one run, finished 2-for-4 at the plate. Junior Todd Thompson also went 2-for-4 at the plate.

Freshman Michael Simmons went 1-for-3 at the plate with a double and drove in three runs in the win. Senior Andrew Hill drove in one run and scored one run. Junior Jackson Slaid scored one run.

Montevallo plated four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to break a scoreless tie.

Slaid led off the inning with a walk. Rodriguez was hit by a pitch before Willoughby reached on a bunt single. Dubberly plated Slaid with his RBI single through the right side of the infield to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead.

Following a Georgia Southwestern pitching change, Simmons drove in the three baserunners to give Montevallo a 4-0 lead.

The Falcons added three more runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, which included a pair of errors by the Hurricanes, to push their lead to 7-0.

Willoughby singled to right field before scoring on a Georgia Southwestern error. Willoughby scored on another error by the Hurricanes following Hill’s successful stolen base.

Dubberly capped the inning with a RBI single through the right side of the infield to drive in Hill.

Georgia Southwestern scored single runs in the top of the first inning, top of the fourth inning and top of the fifth inning on its way to a 3-1 win in the nightcap.

Junior Josh Clemen (1-1) was tagged with the loss despite giving up just two earned runs on five hits with five strikeouts and two walks in the first complete game of his career.

Freshman Thomas Bradey led the Falcons as he went 1-for-2 at the plate and scored one run.

Rodriguez and Willoughby each finished 1-for-4 at the plate. Freshman Jeremy Hyde drove in one run.

Georgia Southwestern took a 1-0 lead in the top half of the first inning when  Randall Shef led off the game with a solo homer.

The Falcons tied the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the third inning. Bradey led off the inning with a triple down the right-field line before scoring on a groundball RBI by Hyde.

Stephen Eldr homered in the top of the fourth inning to give the Hurricanes a 2-1 lead. Georgia Southwestern scored its final run in the top of the fifth inning when John Duran scored on a sacrifice fly RBI by Michel Coffe.

Following the series finale on Feb. 17, Montevallo returns to action with a non-conference game against the University of North Alabama at Kermit A. Johnson Field on Feb. 20. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.