MONTEVALLO, Ala. - The Montevallo Falcons used a barrage of two-out hits and another outstanding performance from Mychael McMillan to earn a midweek split with the Columbus State Cougars, 14-2, 4-2, on Wednesday afternoon. 

In game one, Montevallo used seven two-out hits to collect 11 two-out RBI and 13 two-out runs to beat Columbus State 14-2, in a 6-inning run-ruled game. 

The Falcons loaded the bases in the third inning on a Brooke Ingram leadoff single and walks by Georgia Hughes and Brianna Stella, but were only able to push one run across. A two-out Mariel Bertossi RBI single struck Cougars' starting pitcher Hannah Rose Corbin in the forearm, deflected to second baseman Morgan Elston, and scored Ingram. Elston fired the ball to third to back-pick pinch runner Monet Milligan for the third out in the inning. 

Columbus State answered with two runs of their own in the bottom of the third, on a two-run homerun by Elyse Ambrose.

Montevallo answered CSU's two-run third with four runs of their own in the top of the fourth, all with two outs. The Falcons started the inning with back-to-back singles by Sierra Easterwood and Haley Barnette. After a sacrifice bunt by Holly LaForce and an Ingram fly out, Hughes squeaked a two-strike, two-out RBI infield single to Elston at second, just past Corbin, to tie the game. Barnette came around to score on the play after first baseman Paige Vincent dropped the late throw from Elston. Carlee Mullinax then sent a ball deep to right field that was dropped at the wall, a play that scored Hughes.  Stella followed with a double down the left field line, scoring the pinch runner Caroline Pope, for the fourth run in the inning.

The Falcons put the game out of reach with nine more runs in the sixth, eight of the runs scored with two outs. Montevallo batted around in the inning and collected eight hits and two walks in the inning. Hughes singled home LaForce, Bertossi singled in Hughes and Stella, Easterwood doubled home Alexis Cortez, and LaForce singled home Bertossi and Easterwood. Ingram capped the inning with a three-run blast to center field, also scoring Barnette and LaForce. 

Mychael McMillan turned in another stellar performance in the circle with a three-hit complete game. McMillan struck out four and yielded just two runs, both earned, for her sixth win of the season. 

Ingram was 3-for-3 with three RBI and two runs scored.

Bertossi was 2-for-4 with three RBI. 

LaForce and Hughes both had two hits, two RBI and two runs scored.

Stella and Easterwood both had a double, two hits and an RBI.

In game two, the Falcons (14-9) got solo homeruns from Barnette and Mullinax but could not mount a late rally to overcome the Cougars. 

Barnette's solo shot in the second inning gave UM an early lead, but CSU (12-9) scored two in the fourth inning, and single runs in the fifth and sixth, to earn the 4-2 win.

Falcons' starting pitcher Mabry Norris threw well in her two innings of work, allowing just one hit and striking out one. 

NEXT UP: REST  
Montevallo gets a well-earned break with an upcoming GSC bye-weekend and no midweek games scheduled next week. The Falcons are back in action March 20-21 when they take on in-state rival No. 18 University of Alabama in Huntsville. The Chargers are currently 15-6 and sit alone in first place in the GSC at 10-2. Montevallo is tied for third place, with an 8-4 conference record. Game one of the series is set for 6pm in Huntsville.