HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The University of Montevallo softball team split two games on Saturday, February 7, at the UAH Charger Chillout Tournament. They suffered a loss to Southern Indiana University, 10-1, but earned the win over the University of West Georgia, 5-2.
After pitching five solid innings the day before, junior Kelsey King got the start for the Falcons in the first game against SIU on Saturday.
The Screaming Eagles got to King and the Falcons early, scoring runs in three of the first four innings.
Montevallo would chip into the lead in the bottom of the fourth. Freshman Celestia Davila scored when the SIU catcher threw to second to get Hannah McCreless, who was attempting to steal after a single to right field.
Davila was pinch running for Phoebe Dabbour, who went 1-for-2 in the game and drew her team-high seventh walk of the season.
That would be the lone run of the game for the Falcons, who fell 10-1 to undefeated Screaming Eagles.
Freshman Dylan Bailey went 1-for-2 with a double and walk. Freshman Kaitlynn Thomson also went 1-for-2 with a double.
Darbi Duke and Sydney Abounassar also had hits for UM in the game.
In the second game, Montevallo would bounce back, defeating the University of West Georgia Wolves, 5-2.
Junior Jostlyn Higgerson picked up her third win of the season, only allowing two runs in a complete game victory. She also struck out 11 batters. It was the second straight day that she recorded 11 strikeouts in a game.
Higgerson (3-1) has earned the decision in every win for the Falcons this season.
In the top of the third inning, UM scored two runs, turning a one-run deficit into a one-run advantage. Shelby Lopez and Kelsey Vining each scored on errors by the Wolves.
Tied at two in the top of the fifth, Dabbour came through in a big way for the Falcons. Last week's Peach Belt Conference Freshman of the Week hit a home run with Davila on base that put UM on top to stay.
Shelby Clark tripled home an insurance run later in the inning.
Dabbour's two RBIs gave her seven on the season, the most on the team.
Montevallo (3-3) will be back in action tomorrow, with two more games to close out the tournament. The Falcons play Bellarmine and Ohio Dominican to round out their stay in Huntsville.
