FROM STAFF REPORTS

The University of Montevallo baseball team dropped its fourth-straight game to a nationally-ranked program following a 8-5 loss to the University of North Alabama in a non-conference game Feb. 15.

The Falcons (2-6) were led by senior Kirk Waligora, who went 3-for-3 with a pair of RBIs and a walk. Sophomore Alec Stiver was 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI, while sophomore Will Fulmer was 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored.

Junior Austin Dubberly, a Pelham High School graduate, had a double and a run scored, while senior Heath Peterson added an RBI and a run scored.

On the mound, junior Kincaid Koehler got the start and took home the loss as he went four innings with a pair of walks and five runs given up, two of which were earned. Five other Montevallo pitchers combined to pitch the final four innings while giving up three runs.

UNA got the scoring started in the second inning as the Lions scored four runs off of three hits and one Montevallo error. Montevallo responded in the fourth as Dubberly led off with a double and then was driven home by Fulmer with an RBI single. UNA immediately matched the Falcons’ lone run in the bottom of the inning to take a 5-1 lead.

UNA added a pair of runs in the fifth to up their lead to six. The Falcons cut the lead in half in the top of the sixth with three runs off of four hits. Peterson hit an RBI single to score Fulmer. Stiver then hit an RBI double to score junior Vincent Andrews. Waligora then hit a bases-loaded RBI single to score Peterson. A double play on the next at bat ended the Falcons’ rally.

UNA scored a run in the bottom of the inning to increase the Lions lead to four and a lone run by the Falcons in the eighth ended the scoring as the Falcons fell, 8-5.

The Falcons will return to action Saturday, Feb. 18 at noon as they travel to USC-Aiken for a three-game series.