MONTEVALLO, Ala. – After two losses to start its conference slate, the University of Montevallo softball team responded with two convincing Peach Belt Conference victories on Sunday afternoon.
The Falcons defeated the Patriots of Francis Marion University in both games of the doubleheader, 7-0 and 12-3.
Jostlyn Higgerson (8-6) shined in the circle for UM, allowing one run total in her 10 innings between the two games. The junior from Enterprise, Alabama was the victor in both contests, picking up her seventh and eighth wins of the season.
There was plenty of run support from the Falcon bats, scoring 19 runs on the day.
In the first game, a pair of extra base hits from freshman Kelsey Vining helped spurn the Montevallo attack.
Vining went 2-for-3 in the game, driving home a run, scoring a run, drawing a walk, and stealing two bases. She is currently second in the Peach Belt in stolen bases.
Lexes Wilson also went 2-for-3 in the game with an RBI.
Sydney Aguilar had the biggest numbers in the first game, going 2-for-3 and driving in two runs in addition to scoring two runs herself, leading the team in both categories. She also hit the lone triple of the contest.
Shelby Lopez had a hit and a stolen base. Jessica Mentzer had a hit, and Kaitlynn Thomson had an RBI in the 7-0 win.
Higgerson allowed only four hits and struck out seven in six innings pitched.
Jana Kelbie Armstrong had a scoreless inning of relief in the game.
In the second game, Higgerson would again get the start and would again dominate the Patriot lineup. She would go four innings in this game, only surrendering a single hit. Higgerson's eight wins on the season are the second-best mark in the conference.
Montevallo fell behind 1-0 to start the game, but would score the next 12 runs. Seven Falcons recorded RBIs in the second game, led by Rachael Conley's three runs driven in.
Conley hit her second home run of the year, a two-run shot to left in the second inning.
Vining, Wilson, Thomson, Mentzer, and Sydney Abounassar all had hits for Montevallo. Conley and Celestia Davila each had two hits in the second game.
Following their impressive showing on Sunday, the Falcons (11-11, 2-2) hit the road on Wednesday, March 4, to face the West Alabama Tigers.
UWA is a familiar opponent for Montevallo, as the Falcons swept the Tigers with two walk-off hits on Opening Day.
