FROM STAFF REPORTS

FLORENCE, Ala. – The University of Montevallo baseball team remained undefeated in mid-week games during the 2013 season following a 10-4 win on the road at the University of North Alabama in a non-conference game April 17.

The Falcons, who finished off a three-game sweep of the Lions this season following the victory, improved to 12-0 in mid-week games. Montevallo (27-15) has one mid-week game remaining Wednesday, April 24 when the Falcons host the University of West Alabama in their final home game of the season.

The Falcons, who are ranked No. 27 in the latest College Baseball Lineup NCAA Division II poll, haven’t dropped a non-conference game since a 9-8 loss on the road Feb. 9 at top-ranked Delta State University.

Freshman Michael Simmons led the Falcons offensively as he went 3-for-4 at the plate with a double. Simmons drove in one run and scored two runs in the victory.

Junior Jackson Slaid, who drove in one run and scored two runs, finished 3-for-4 at the plate. Sophomore Vinny Rodriguez went 3-for-6 at the plate and scored two runs.

Senior Andrew Hill, who drove in one run and scored one run, finished 1-for-3 at the plate. Freshman Brandon Marshall finished 1-for-2 at the plate and drove in a team-high three runs, while fellow freshman Thomas Bradeywent 1-for-3 at the plate and drove in one run.

Freshmen Jeremy Hyde, who drove in one run, and Chase Bryant each finished 1-for-2 at the plate. SeniorAustin Dubberly went 1-for-4 at the plate and scored one run. Juniors Will Fulmer and Todd Thompson scored one run each in the win.

Senior starter Devon Davis (3-0) picked up the win on the mound after allowing just two earned runs on four hits with three walks and a strikeout in five innings of action.

Freshman Aron McRee gave up one earned run on two hits with one strikeout in two innings in relief. FreshmanTaylor Burr allowed one hit without recording an out.

Junior Edward Brandsema allowed just one hit with one strikeout in one inning in relief, while freshman Cody Hughes gave up one earned run on one hit with one strikeout in one inning on the mound.

The Falcons took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Fulmer reached on a walk to lead off the game, advanced to second base on a fly out by Dubberly and took third base on a single by Rodriguez before scoring on a RBI sacrifice fly by Slaid.

North Alabama responded with two runs in the bottom half of the frame to take a 2-1 lead.

Matthew Tittle reached on a walk before scoring on a RBI ground out by Dylan Boston later in the inning. Josh Cyr, who doubled in the inning, scored on a RBI single by Josh Carpenter.

Montevallo pushed four runs across the plate in the top of the fifth inning to take a 5-2 lead.

Dubberly reached on an error to lead off the inning before Rodriguez, Slaid and Simmons followed with back-to-back-to-back singles. Simmons’ RBI single drove in Dubberly for the first run in the inning.

Rodriguez scored on a RBI sacrifice fly by Marshall. Slaid scored on a RBI single by Bradey. Simmons scored the final run in the inning on a RBI single by Hyde.

The Falcons increased their lead to 9-2 with four more runs in the top of the sixth inning.

Rodriguez singled before scoring the first run in the inning on a bases-loaded walk to Hill. Slaid, who singled in the inning, and Simmons, who reached on a walk, scored on a two-run single by Marshall. Hill scored on an error by the Lions following the single by Marshall.

The Lions scored one run in bottom of the sixth inning to cut the deficit to 9-3. Bradley Noland reached on a fielder’s choice before scoring on a RBI single by Tony Bonifacio later in the inning.

Montevallo added an insurance run in the top of the ninth inning to push its lead to 10-3. Thompson, who was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, moved to third base on back-to-back walks issued to Hyde and Fulmer before scoring on a double-play ground ball by Bryant.

North Alabama scored a run in the bottom of the ninth to cut the deficit to 10-4 when Bonifacio tripled and scored on a RBI ground out by Taylor Hayes before Hughes closed the door with a strikeout and a ground out to end the game.

The Falcons return to action this weekend with a three-game Peach Belt Conference series on the road at the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega, Ga.

First pitch in the series opener is set for Friday, April 19 at 6 p.m. CST. The two teams will wrap up the series with a doubleheader Saturday, April 20, with the first pitch in the opening game set for noon CST.