MONTEVALLO, Ala. – In the final game of a three game series with the #2 Lander University Bearcats, the University of Montevallo Falcons fell by the final score of 15-8.
Montevallo (17-13, 8-10 PBC) is currently ranked 24th in the country, but dropped all three games of the series to the Peach Belt leading Bearcats.
Alex Pondick (3-3) started the game for the Falcons, and held his own against the prolific Lander lineup, but eventually took the loss. Pondick gave up five runs on five hits in 3 1/3 innings.
In all, five pitchers saw action on the mound for Montevallo Sunday afternoon. Freshman Tanner Koch was impressive closing out the game, allowing one run on two hits, while striking out two in 2 2/3 innings.
The Bearcats opened up the game with a three run lead, scoring two runs in the first inning and adding a third run in the second.
After holding Lander scoreless in the top half of the third, Montevallo took a big chunk out of the lead in the bottom half when Vinny Rodriguez hit his third home run of the season, a two-run blast to right field.
The Bearcats would respond, though, scoring the next 11 runs of the contest. Montevallo ended the game hot, scoring six runs combined in the seventh and eighth innings, but it was too late to mount a comeback.
Senior Will Fulmer was impressive in his usual lead-off role, going 3-for-5 and also drawing a walk. Fellow senior Jackson Slaid also had a solid day at the plate, going 2-for-4 with four RBIs.
As a mid-game replacement for a banged up Matthew Haskins, Thomas Bradey went 1-for-2 with two RBIs and a walk.
Dane Hutcheon and Chase Bryant combined to draw five walks.
The Falcons' next game will take them out of conference play, as they will play Florida Tech in Melbourne, Fla.
That game is this Tuesday, March 25th, and the first pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m.
