FROM STAFF REPORTS

The University of Montevallo baseball team dropped its Peach Belt Conference series opener at home April 1 against Augusta State University, 5-1.

The Falcons (14-17 overall, 4-9 in Peach Belt Conference) pounded out nine hits, but were only able to get one run across the plate.

Montevallo was led by senior Josh Dabbs and junior Chris Ross, a Pelham graduate, who each had two hits.

Dabbs was 2-for-3 at the plate with a walk. Ross was 2-for-4 with a run scored.

Junior Heath Peterson provided the only RBI for the Falcons as he was 1-for-4 at the plate. Sophomore Will Dismukes (3-4) took the loss on the mound as he pitched eight innings with seven strikeouts and five walks.

Montevallo opened up the bottom of the first inning with three-straight singles, but a caught stealing and two fly outs ended the Falcons’ early momentum. Montevallo was unable to score in the inning and the offense tapered off from that point on.

Augusta State broke through first, scoring two runs in the fifth inning with the help of a Montevallo error, a pair of walks and a hit by pitch. The Jags tacked on another run in the sixth to go up 3-0.

The Falcons’ only run came in the bottom of the sixth inning. Ross led the inning off with a single up the middle. Dabbs followed with a single to left field to move Ross to second base. Peterson finally provided a run-scoring single to right field, which plated Ross from second base. A double play ended the Falcons’ rally.

The Jags put the game away in the eighth inning, as they scored two more runs to go up 5-1. Montevallo had a single in the eighth inning, but a double play once again ended the inning. In the ninth inning, Montevallo had two fly outs before getting a man on base. A final line out to left field ended the game.

The Falcons return to action April 2 at 1 p.m. as they continue the three-game series with Augusta State.