NASHVILLE, Tenn. – University of Montevallo senior Vinny Rodriguez went 5-for-5 at the plate, including a two-run homer jn the first inning and a go-ahead RBI single in the eighth inning, in the Falcons' 10-9 come-from-behind win over host Trevecca Nazarene University in a mid-week game April 1.
Rodriguez, who drove in five runs and scored two runs in the win, plated sophomore Dane Hutcheon with an RBI single up the middle in the top of the eighth inning to help Montevallo (17-15) overcome a three-run deficit and finish off a sweep of the Trojans in two games this week.
Rodriguez also opened the scoring for the Falcons with a two-run shot to right field in the top of the first inning, marking his third blast of the season. Rodriguez tied the record for most hits in a single game in program history with his five hits.
Hutcheon, who drove in two runs and scored three runs, finished 3-for-4 at the plate with a pair of doubles in the victory. Senior Matthew Haskins finished 3-for-4 at the plate with a double and scored one run.
Junior Thomas Bradey finished 2-for-3 at the plate and scored one run, while freshman Collin Dupree went 2-for-5 at the plate and scored two runs.
Junior Jeremy Hyde, who drove in two runs and scored one run, finished 1-for- 5 at the plate while blasting his fourth home run of the season. Junior Chase Bryant also drove in one run in the victory.
Freshman Kale Latorre (1-0) picked up his first win in his collegiate career after pitching 1 2/3 hitless innings in relief and registering a pair of strikeouts. Junior Aron McRee collected his sixth save of the season after striking out five of the six batters he faced in two innings in relief.
Senior starter Jeremy Bagnall allowed five runs, including two earned runs, on five hits with four strikeouts and no walks in 2 2/3 innings on the mound.
Rodriguez' two-run blast in the top of the first inning put Montevallo on top 2-0 before the Falcons plated four runs in the top of the second inning to extend their lead to 6-3. Rodriguez capped the scoring in the frame with a two-run single up the middle.
The Trojans scored eight unanswered runs to take a 9-6 lead. Montevallo cut into the deficit with two runs in the top of the fifth inning with Hyde's two-run bomb left field.
Hutcheon plated Dupree with a RBI double in the top of the eighth inning to tie the game at 9-9 before Rodriguez drove him in with a RBI single up the middle for the game-winning run.
The Falcons will return to action this weekend with a trip to Savannah, Georgia to take on Armstrong State University in a Peach Belt Conference series.
First pitch in the series opener is set for Friday, April 3 at 2 p.m. Eastern/1 p.m. Central.
