GULF SHORES, Ala. – The Montevallo softball team split a pair of games against ranked opponents to open the season, defeating No. 24 Oklahoma Christian 3-2 and falling to No. 9 Rogers State 7-1 on Saturday.
GAME ONE
The Falcons were able to take the win behind solid performances in the circle from
Taylor Lloyd and
Berkley Mooney. Lloyd started the game and pitched six and a third innings. The junior allowed two hits, two runs, three walks, while striking out one. Mooney was solid in her first collegiate appearance, retiring five of the six batters she faced. The freshman pitched one and two thirds innings and was credited with the win.
The Falcons struck first on the scoreboard in the fourth inning.
Molly Pendley,
Kiley Christopher, and
Kennedy Hussey all reached base to the load the bags with only one out.
Ariana Pinder provided the big hit, earning a two-RBI double to score Hussey and Christopher, putting the Falcons ahead 2-0.
Montevallo threatened again, loading the bases in the bottom of the sixth, but a strike out ultimately ended the rally, keeping the score at 2-0.
After only recording hit through the first six innings, Oklahoma Christian found momentum with a one-out single in the top of the seventh. After giving up a walk and forcing a popout, the Eagles scored two runs off of an error to tie the game at two.
Bentlee Stiner provided a hit to open the bottom of the seventh, but three straight outs sent the game to extra innings.
Mooney retired all three OCU batters and the Falcons stepped up with a chance to walk the game off in the bottom of the eighth.
Pendley was placed at second to start the eighth and a Christopher groundout, followed by a Hussey sac-fly were enough get Pendley home and secure the 3-2 win for Montevallo.
GAME INFORMATION
Score: Montevallo 3 | No. 24 Oklahoma Christian 2
Records: Montevallo 1-0 | Oklahoma Christian 1-1
Location: Gulf Shores Sportsplex | Gulf Shores, Ala.
GAME NOTES
GAME TWO
The Falcons in the second game of the day, falling to No. 9 Rogers State.
Mya Young was credited with the loss, allowing two runs on one walk and one hit-by-pitch. Freshmen Mooney and
Addy Tillery combined to pitch six innings, allowing five runs.
Rogers State jumped ahead early scoring four runs in the first inning. The Hillcats added one run in the fifth and two runs in the sixth to jump ahead 7-0.
Montevallo continued to fight, scoring its lone run in the seventh inning.
Riley Tyree started things off with a single and Pendley ultimately hit a sac-fly to score Tyree.
GAME INFORMATION
Score: Montevallo 1 | Rogers State 7
Records: Montevallo 1-1 | Rogers State 1-2
Location: Gulf Shores Sportsplex | Gulf Shores, Ala.
GAME NOTES
