SCORES
Game 1: Flagler 3, Montevallo 2
Game 2: Montevallo 7, Flagler 6
RECORD
Montevallo (20-20 overall, 9-10 in Peach Belt Conference)
Flagler (31-18 overall, 14-6 in Peach Belt Conference)
LOCATION
Flagler Field (St. Augustine, Florida)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Montevallo continued its recent pattern with another split in a Peach Belt Conference doubleheader against an opponent higher up in the conference standings after splitting a pair of games on the road at Flagler with a 3-2 setback in the opener and a 7-6 victory in the nightcap.
The Saints plated the first run in the opener on a RBI single up the middle by Natalie Murphy in the bottom of the first inning.
The Falcons briefly took a 2-1 advantage on a two-run double to left-center field by sophomore Lady Sarah Federico in the top of the third inning.
Maria Kappos tied the game with a solo homer in the bottom of the fifth inning before Flagler took the lead for good on a RBI double by Mackenzie Conley in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Montevallo jumped out to an early 5-0 lead in the second game of the doubleheader. Freshman Mariel Bertossi and junior Dylan Bailey plated the first two runs with a pair of RBI singles before a RBI double by sophomore Marisa Sosa capped a three-run top of the second inning.
Vining blasted a two-run homer to right-center field in the top of the third inning to push the lead to 5-0.
A RBI double to left-center field by Bertossi in the top of the fifth inning gave the Falcons a 6-1 advantage.
The Saints answered back with five unanswered runs and tied the game in the bottom of the fifth inning on a RBI single by Maddy Murphy.
Vining plated freshman Haley Barnette on a RBI infield single to score the go-ahead run for Montevallo in the top of the sixth inning.
Sophomore Abbey Pratt, who took the loss in the first game of the doubleheader, bounced back and earned the win in relief in the nightcap after allowing just one hit with a pair of strikeouts in 2 2/3 innings.
STAT OF THE DAY
Junior Kelsey Vining blasted her fourth home run of the season in the second game of the doubleheader, which ties the most in a single season by the Plano, Texas native. Vining finished with four home runs in both her freshman and sophomore campaigns.
UP NEXT
The Falcons will return home to take on Peach Belt Conference foe UNC Pembroke in a doubleheader Friday, April 14. First pitch in the opening game is set for 11 a.m.