FLORENCE, Ala. - In their first of four games in five days, the University of Montevallo baseball team was able to avenge a loss from earlier this season, defeating the University of North Alabama, 4-2.
Pitching was key for both the Falcons and the Lions in the game, as there were only four extra base hits recorded between the two clubs.
Senior Alex Guilford got the start for Montevallo and did not allow an earned run in his inning pitched.
He was relieved by Tanner Koch, who put in 3 and 1/3 innings of work out of the bullpen. Koch surrendered only one run and struck out four.
In the top of the fifth, Montevallo, who was trailing 2-0 at the time, put up four runs. The inning started out with Jeremy Hyde being hit by a pitch, Dane Hutcheon drawing a walk, and Chase Bryant advancing the two runners over on a sacrifice.
With two runners in scoring position and only one out, Scotty Smith stepped up to the plate and delivered. His double scored two and evened the game at two.
Smith would not be standing on second base for long, as Will Fulmer singled him home and gave the Falcons their first lead of the game.
Fulmer advanced to third after Matthew Haskins singled and would score on a Vinny Rodriguez sac fly, completing the four run inning for Montevallo.
The 4-2 score held up for the rest of the game, as the bullpen came up big for the Falcons down the stretch. Koch was relieved in the bottom of the fifth by Joey Hume, who allowed no runs and recorded two strikeouts in 1 and 2/3 innings.
Edward Brandsema, Taylor Burr, and Aron McRee rounded out the pitchers who saw time for Montevallo Wednesday night. McRee earned his fifth save of the year, allowing no hits in his 1 and 1/3 innings.
Koch (2-0) was credited with the win.
Smith finished the game 2-for-3 with the two aforementioned RBIs. Brandon Marshall went 2-for-4 in the game.
The Falcons have one day to rest before they take on PBC foe North Georgia in a three day weekend series at home. The series begins this Friday, April 18th.
First pitch is set for 7 p.m. CST.
