MONTEVALLO, Ala. – The University of Montevallo baseball team is set to open their 2025 season on Friday, Jan. 31 at 3:00 p.m. against Embry-Riddle.
 
"We've pushed the guys pretty good and we like where we are at," said Head Coach Chandler Rose. "There's nothing like opening day. Every year is a different challenge with a different group of guys. One thing I like this year is we have a good nucleus of guys coming back from last years team. We had a really good recruiting class, so it's been fun putting the pieces together and seeing how it all comes together this weekend."
 
The Falcons open up with three straight weekend series against teams that made the 2024 NCAA Regionals including the reigning National Champion, Tampa. Montevallo will host Embry-Riddle at Kermit A. Johnson Field at Bob Riesener Stadium on Jan. 31 through Feb. 2. After a Tuesday midweek against Spring Hill on Feb. 4, the Falcons will welcome in preseason No. 1 Tampa for a three-game series starting on Feb. 7. UM will continue the tough opening month of their 2025 season as they open up Gulf South Conference play at No. 14 West Florida on Feb. 14 and Feb. 15.
 
"We've just got to focus on ourselves, "said Rose. "We certainly have one of the toughest schedules in the country and that's good, it's a great opportunity for our guys. This will help prepare us before we get into conference play."
 
"I learned in my first year that any team can beat you," said second year Falcon Connor Crowson. "You've got to take it pitch by pitch and try to win every aspect of the game because everyone is good at this level."
 
"They have to face us," said Adiel Melendez. "You've got to be mentally tough. It's a long season, a lot of games, you'll go through high points and low points."
 
In the preseason GSC Coaches Poll, Montevallo was picked fifth. The Falcons went 29-23 including a 17-13 record in GSC play. UM picked up two wins at the GSC Tournament. Head Coach Chandler Rose returns 29 players from last year squad.
 
"Crowson has been a steady presence for us and has played a lot of baseball. Huddy (Ethan Huddleston) has had a good spring so far and is coming off a great year last season," said Rose. "Landon Leake has been a great leader for us so he's another steady presence. On the pitching side you've got Adiel (Melendez). So, there is a bunch of guys that can come together and lead the team."
 
The Falcons will welcome in 17 newcomers including 10 transfers. Transfers McGwire Turner, Evan Radford and Garrett Sloan were all named to the GSC Newcomers Watchlist.
 
"There are several transfers that I think will come in and make a big impact," said Rose. "The biggest thing I thought we needed to address was power. Jackson Webster, Evan Radford and McGwire Turner should be able to help us out on the hitting side. Garrett Sloan is a graduate transfer who has done a really good job, Mason Creacy has come in and been really good. Matthew Bullard has been ready good and we can use him in a variety of different ways. I think us trying to figure out that bullpen and where guys settle into rolls with the returners coming back is going to be a big thing early in the season."
 
"Our whole freshman class has impressed me a lot," said Crowson. "They are really good for their age and all the transfers will be able to bring a lot to the table."
 
"The newcomers that really got me was McGwire and I like Pearl, he's scrappy, he's raw and he's got talent," said Melendez. "Ian Cartwright has shown me he's going to be a dude. But we've got some guys coming in that will be studs."
 
The Falcons have some tough midweek matchups against foes from the Peach Belt Conference such as two games against Georgia Southwestern and Columbus State who finished third and fourth in the PBC. Later in the conference schedule, Montevallo will play six games against teams who are receiving votes early in the season, Lee and Delta State.
 
Montevallo is returning three pitchers who had seven or more starts a season ago, Seth Gurr, Adiel Melendez and Gino Cozzi.
 
"Starting pitching is a strength of ours, starting with Adiel who threw every Friday night for us. He has taken some huge strides this year," said Rose. "Gino is back, he's a two times All-Conference guy. He's been in the program for a while. Seth Gurr was tremendous in the midweek role last season. The big one kind of elevating himself in the rotation is Zach Wyatt. He's got a chance to be pretty good and he showed some flashes last year. Mason Creacy and Matthew Bullard are swing guys who can start for us. You're only as good as your starting pitching."
 
"I want to be the best I can be for my teammates and coaches who have put that trust in me," said Melendez. "They allow me to be who I am."
 
Montevallo kicks off the 2025 season on Friday, Jan. 31 for their first game of three against the Embry-Riddle Eagles. First pitch for game one is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. CT.
 
For the opening series, Adiel Melendez will take the mound in game one, followed by Zach Wyatt in game two. Gino Cozzi will be on the bump for the series finale in game three.