MONTEVALLO – The Montevallo baseball team is moments away from the first pitch of the 2022 season, in search of success on the diamond.  The Falcons were selected 10^th in the GSC Baseball Preseason Poll, after a 2021 campaign where the Falcons went 12-24 overall and 9-24 against conference opponents.
 
"I think we've built a great foundation throughout the off-season and the culture is outstanding. It's a very close group and I can't wait to get on the field and put it all together," exclaimed head baseball coach Chandler Rose. "They have worked extremely hard and been very focused." 
 
UM kicks off the season with a three game, nonconference series against AUM.  The Falcons are set for 12 nonconference competitions before they open up their Gulf South Conference Schedule against Delta State on Saturday, February 26^th in Cleveland, Mississippi.
 
The Falcons will lean on the experience of a youthful core that have developed into key performers for the program over the last two seasons. 
 
"We've been very young the past couple years but many of the guys in the program have gained a lot of valuable experience playing every day," remarked Rose. "I'm excited about the development of the guys that have been in the program and feel like we've brought in some really talented newcomers to compliment them."
 
Montevallo welcomes back key returners such as Ben Teel who had the highest batting average (.336), OPS (.930), and slugging percentage (.475) for the Falcons during the 2021 season.
 

Another key returner is senior outfielder Riley Cain who led the team in at bats (140), hits (42), runs scored (30), walks (23) and stolen bases (12) a year ago.
 

Other returning starters who will be instrumental in the team's success both at the plate and in the field are Jake Smallwood, Reed Latimer, Khalid Collymore, Asa Awbrey, Brandon Moore, and Alex Langford.  
 
The Falcons boosted its roster with new transfers and incoming freshman to add more talent to the roster.  The Gulf South Conference acknowledged Sam Kuchinski, Gino Cozzi, and Danny Glenos as the Falcons Top Newcomers for the 2022 season. 
 
The Falcons have many newcomers on the mound but also return several arms that threw significant innings last year in Connor Phelan, Dylan Freeman, Logan Samuels, Zach Toth, and Daniel Buice. For this weekends opening series the Falcons will send out a starting rotation of three new transfers. Game one starter will be Gino Cozzi followed by Trey Felker and JJ Pease. Look for newcomers Danny Glenos and Trey Mooney to join Dylan Freeman at the backend of the bullpen. 
 
The Falcons begin the 2022 season Saturday, February 5th at 2:00 pm with a game at Auburn Montgomery.