FROM STAFF REPORTS

The University of Montevallo baseball team scored a run in the bottom of the ninth inning to take a 5-4 victory over the University of West Alabama, which marked the third time this season the Falcons have downed the Tigers and the first time since the 2000 season the Falcons have swept their in-state rival.

Montevallo (22-21) was led by junior Andrew Hill, a Pelham High School graduate, who went 2-for-2 at the plate with a hit by pitch and a run scored. Sophomore Will Fulmer was 2-for-4 with two runs scored.

Junior Vincente Andrews was 1-for-3 with a run scored, a homerun, two RBI and a walk. Senior Chris Ross, a Pelham High School graduate, was 1-for-4 with a double and a run scored. The run Ross scored was the walk-off run in the ninth.

Junior Austin Dubberly, a Pelham High School graduate, was the only other Falcon with a hit as he went 1-for-4 with a stolen base. Dubberly’s stolen base set up the error by West Alabama’s catcher that sent Ross home in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Sophomore Hunter Stevens got the start on the mound and pitched 6.0 innings with a pair of strikeouts and three walks. He allowed six hits and just four runs.

Junior Devon Davis pitched the next 2.0 innings with a strikeout and a walk while holding the Tigers hitless. The final pitcher was junior Kameron Heiser, who pitched the final inning with a walk and no runs allowed. Heiser took home the win to improve to 3-4 on the season.

The Falcons got on the board first in the very first inning as Andrews stepped up to the plate with one man on and sent a ball over the right centerfield fence to give Montevallo the early lead.

The Tigers responded with a solo homerun in the second and then took the lead in the fifth with a three-run homerun all coming from the bat of D.J. Turo.

Montevallo tied the game in the sixth with a pair of runs. The first came on a bases loaded wild pitch in which Fulmer scored. After an intentional walk to senior Heath Peterson, senior Josh Headley drew a bases loaded hit by pitch to tie the game.

The drama continued in the ninth as Ross led off the inning with a double to left centerfield. Headley then sacrificed Ross to third to set up the winning run with one out. Dubberly attempted a squeeze play but Ross was unable to come home but Dubberly made it to first safely to keep it first and third and just one out.

After a pitching change, the Falcons set up their final play. Dubberly attempted a steal on the next pitch and the throw from the catcher made it to centerfield, which allowed Ross to trot home for the game-winning run.

The Falcons will return to action Friday, April 20 at 2 p.m. as they travel to Georgia Southwestern for a Peach Belt Conference doubleheader.