PENSACOLA, Fla. –  A late RBI in the top of the ninth inning was all the No. 4 University of Montevallo baseball team needed to earn a 4-3 win over West Florida, Friday, in Pensacola, Florida.
 
Montevallo fell behind 2-0 early in the contest when the Argonauts plated a pair of runs in the first inning off a two-RBI double.
 
In the top of the sixth, Montevallo found life from the plate. With the bases loaded, Asa Awbrey reached on a fielder's choice that scored Sam Kuchinksi and UM's first run of the game. On the same play, a throwing error by the UWF second baseman allowed Reed Latimer to score and even the game 2-2.
 
West Florida quickly regained in the lead in the bottom of the sixth, scoring on a wild pitch.
 
Montevallo answered the home side in the top of the seventh to even the score 3-3 when Ben Teel singled to left field to drive in Matt Simon.
 
Zach Toth and Connor Phelan helped keep West Florida off the board in the seventh and eighth innings. Phelan struck out a pair in the eighth to help hold the tie.
 
In the top of the ninth, Matt Simon reached on an error to open the frame. Simon then advanced into scoring position with a stolen base before Sam Kuchinski delivered the game-winning RBI single through the right side to score Simon and put Montevallo on top, 4-3.
 
Griffin Lape preserved the lead for the Falcons in ninth and struck out the final batter to earn his third save of the year. Phelan earned the win and improved to 3-1 overall.

GAME INFORMATION
Score: No. 4/No.14 Montevallo 4 | West Florida 3
Records: No.4/No. 14 Montevallo 27-5(13-3) | West Florida 16-14 (8-8)
Location: Pensacola, Fla.    
 

 GAME ONE NOTES

• Montevallo extended its win streak to three and improved to 27-5 overall and 13-3 in the Gulf South Conference with the win.
• With the win, the Falcons are now 12-1 on the road this year.
• UM scored four runs on eight hits while UWF managed just three runs on six hits.
• Three of Montevallo's four runs were unearned as UWF made two errors.
• The bullpen shined as Connor Phelan earned the win to move to 3-1 and Griffin Lape earned his third save of the year. The pair combined for just two hits allowed, no runs,  and four K's.
• All eight of UM's hit came from different bats.
• Sam Kuchinski, Ben Teel and Asa Awbrey each had an RBI in the win.
• Teel Kuchinski and Luke Mitchell were each on base a team-high three times.
• Matt Simon reached base twice and score two of UM's four runs.
• Michael Morse earned the start and pitched five innings with three K's and just two runs allowed.
• Phelan matched Morse's strikeout total with three in two innings pitched.

 
UP NEXT: Montevallo continues to the series against West Florida on Saturday, April 1, with a double header beginning at 1 p.m.