FROM STAFF REPORTS

The University of Montevallo baseball team downed the University of Southern Indiana 12-5 in a non-conference game March 6.

The Falcons (11-9) led 4-0 after the first inning and coasted to their third-straight win over a nationally-ranked program.

Montevallo was led by freshman Zack Willoughby, who went 3-for-4 at the dish with two runs scored and an RBI. Junior Vincent Andrews returned to form, going 2-for-3 with a double and three runs scored. He was also hit by a pitch twice.

Senior Chris Ross, a Pelham High School graduate, led the team with three RBIs as he went 1-for-2 at the plate with three runs scored, a triple and three walks. Senior Heath Peterson added a pair of RBIs while going 1-for-3.

On the mound, freshman Chase Cameron got the start and went four innings with three strikeouts and three walks. He allowed four runs and scattered five hits.

Senior Drew Boyer pitched the next 3 1/3 innings with a strikeout and a pair of walks. He allowed just two hits and held the Screaming Eagles scoreless en route to the win, which improved his record to 1-1 on the year. Sophomore Hunter Stevens pitched the final 1 2/3 innings with a strikeout. He allowed just one hit and an unearned run.

Montevallo got on the board in the first inning as they plated four runs off of three hits and a pair of Southern Indiana errors. Ross drove in the first run on a bases loaded walk, Peterson then singled to the pitcher to score the second run and the pitcher made a bad throw home which led to the Falcons third run of the inning. The final run of the inning came on a double-steal. Peterson was thrown out a second but it allowed Fulmer to score from third.

The Falcons tacked on three more runs in the third as Dubberly hit an RBI double to left center to score Andrews who led off with a single. Dubberly then scored on a sacrifice fly from Peterson which the left fielder dropped to prolong the inning. Freshman Chad Collum, a Thompson High School graduate, then hit a sacrifice fly to score Ross, who had reached on a walk earlier in the inning.

Montevallo scored a single run in the fourth on a wild pitch to go up 8-0. Southern Indiana finally answered with four runs in the fifth inning, but the Falcons responded with another single run in the bottom half on a Willoughby single.

The Falcons added three more runs in the sixth as Ross hit a two-run triple down the right field line and then was brought home on a sacrifice fly from Peterson.

The Screaming Eagles tacked on one final run in the ninth inning, but it would not be enough.

The Falcons will return to action March 7 at 4 p.m. as they host Southern Indiana.