YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – University of Montevallo senior Vinny Rodriguez set a new school record after extending an impressive hitting streak to 24 games as the Falcons split a doubleheader with host Young Harris College in Peach Belt Conference action April 18.
Rodriguez edged out former Montevallo standout Trent Preuitt, who had a 23-game hitting streak during the 2005 season, atop the record book.
Montevallo won the first game 12-11 in the series shorted to two games due to inclement weather before dropping the nightcap 7-6 in 10 innings.
Junior Steven Knudson led the Falcons (20-22 overall, 11-15 in Peach Belt Conference) in the opening game as he finished 3-for-4 at the plate with a double. Knudson drove in two runs and scored one run.
Freshman Chad Wagner went 2-for-5 at the plate and recorded the first home run of his career while driving in one run and scoring three runs. Junior Chase Bryant went 2-for-3 at the plate and scored two runs. Freshman Collin Dupree finished 2-for-5 at the plate and scored one run.
Rodriguez, who drove in two runs and scored one run, went 1-for-4 at the plate with a double. Senior Matthew Haskins finished 1-for-3 at the plate while driving in one run and scoring two runs. Junior Thomas Bradey went 1-for-5 at the plate and drove in one run.
Senior Cody White and sophomore Dane Hutcheon scored one run each in the victory.
Junior starter Cody Hughes picked up the win after allowing five earned runs on 10 hits with six strikeouts and three walks in six innings on the mound.
Junior Taylor Burr picked up his second save of the season after allowing just one hit with one strikeout and one walk in 2/3 of an inning in relief.
Rodriguez paced the Falcons in the nightcap as he finished 3-for-4 at the plate with a home run and a double. Rodriguez, who extended his hitting streak to 24 games with a double to lead off the second inning, drove in two runs and scored two runs.
Wagner went 2-for-4 at the plate and scored one run. Freshman Kale Latorre finished 1-for-2 at the plate and drove in two runs. Bryant finished 1-for-4 at the plate and drove in one run. Senior Alec Stiver went 1-for-3 at the plate and drove in one run.
Haskins and Bradey each went 1-for-4 at the plate and scored one run. Senior Zack Willoughby also scored one run.
Burr (4-5) took the loss in the nightcap after allowing one earned run on four hits with two walks in one inning in relief.
Junior starter Landon Smith pitched eight strong innings, allowing just four earned runs on nine hits with three strikeouts and two walks in eight innings.
The Falcons will return to action with a home-and-away series with the University of West Alabama next week.
Montevallo will travel to Livingston, Alabama to take on the Tigers in a non-conference game Tuesday, April 21 before hosting West Alabama in the return game Wednesday, April 22.
