FROM STAFF REPORTS

The University of Montevallo baseball team held a two-run lead heading into the ninth inning against No. 10 University of North Alabama, but four runs by the Lions allowed UNA to escape with a 7-5 victory April 11 in a non-conference game after Montevallo was unable to score in the bottom half of the inning.

The Falcons (20-19) were led by sophomore Will Fulmer, who went 3-for-4 at the plate with a pair of RBI and a stolen base. Junior Austin Dubberly, a Pelham High School graduate, was 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI as well.

Senior Kirk Waligora had Montevallo’s only extra base hit with a double as he was 1-for-3 with two runs scored, a double, a walk and a hit by pitch.

Senior Wes Rich, a Pelham High School graduate, took home the loss as he came in to close the game and allowed three hits and four runs including two earned in just 0.2 innings of work. He also had a strikeout. His record fell to 2-2 on the season.

Junior Kameron Heiser got the start and went 4.0 innings with a walk and just five hits given up. He allowed just one run.

The Falcons took the early lead in the game with a run in the first, two in the second and another in the third. The Lions eventually got on the board in the fourth with a solo run. They cut the lead to just one in the sixth with a pair of runs but Montevallo responded in the seventh with a single run to give the Falcons a two-run cushion.

That cushion quickly vanished in the ninth as the Lions plated four runs on three hits and one costly Montevallo error. The Falcons mustered a hit by pitch in the bottom half but that would be all.

The Falcons will return to action this Saturday, April 14 at 1 p.m. as they host Peach Belt Conference foe North Georgia College and State University.