MONTEVALLO, Ala. – The University of Montevallo softball team played their first two games in the UAH Charger Chillout Tournament on Friday, February 6. The Falcons dropped two contests to Kentucky Wesleyan and Delta State, 6-5 and 10-2, respectively.
The Falcons struck first against the Panthers, scoring two runs in the top of the fourth. First, Dylan Bailey doubled home Phoebe Dabbour. Bailey then scored on the very next at-bat after a squeeze from Kaitlynn Thomson.
Montevallo's 2-0 lead would hold through five innings. Junior Kelsey King was impressive in her first appearance of the season, allowing no runs on just three hits through five.
Dabbour, the reigning Peach Belt Conference Freshman of the Week, extended the UM lead in the top of the sixth, giving the Falcons a 3-0 lead after an RBI single down the right field line scored Jessica Mentzer.
In the bottom of the sixth, however, Kentucky Wesleyan was able to even up the game after a three-run home run by Mackenzie Weedman off Jostlyn Higgerson. Higgerson replaced King, who was responsible for the two runners on base.
Extra innings would be required, and the Falcons would strike first. Dabbour would get yet another RBI, her second of the game and fifth in three contests, in the 10th inning.
In the bottom of the frame, Kentucky Wesleyan would force an 11th inning with an RBI single to center. Higgerson went on to strikeout Ashely Crooke with the bases loaded, limiting the damage and extending the game.
The Panthers would win the marathon game in the bottom of the 11th, scoring on a two-out single and handing the Falcons their first loss of the season, 6-5.
Higgerson (2-1) suffered the loss, but struck out 11 in 5 2/3 innings pitched.
Kelsey Vining went 2-for-5 with a double in the leadoff role. Mentzer went 2-for-4 and also had a double, while Bailey went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI.
There would be little time for Montevallo to recover from the loss, as there was one more game against Delta State to play.
The Lady Statesmen jumped out to a quick lead that the Falcons would be unable to come back from, eventually earning a 10-2 win in five innings.
Dabbour added another hit and is batting .667 on the season after four games. She also leads the team in walks, drawing six free passes.
Montevallo (2-2) is back in action tomorrow, February 7, facing off against Southern Indiana and West Georgia.
