MONTEVALLO, Ala. – The Montevallo softball team secured a series win over West Alabama, after splitting Saturday's doubleheader. After falling in extra innings in the first game, the Falcons responded with a gritty, 3-2, victory in the series finale.
GAME ONE
Kinsley Byrd had a strong outing in the circle to start the day, only allowing one earned run in 7.1 innings of work.
The Tigers struck first, plating a pair of runs in the bottom of the first inning to take an early 2-0 lead.
Montevallo looked to get on the board in the top of the fourth, as Bentlee Stiner and Becca Benton opened the inning with back-to-back singles. Makayla Peters hit a sac-fly to score Stiner, putting the Falcons on the board. Riley Tyree added a sac-fly later in the inning to score pinch runner Kiera Olson, tying the game at two runs apiece.
The Falcons threatened again in the top of the sixth, as Becca Benton, Ariana Pinder, and Riley Tyree all reached to load the bases with one out. A fielder's choice and fly-out would end the inning, keeping the Falcons off the board.
Both teams failed to score in the sixth and seventh innings, leading to extra innings in the first game of the day.
The Tigers ultimately hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth to secure the West Alabama, 4-2, victory.
GAME INFORMATION
Score: No. 25 Montevallo 2 | (RV) West Alabama 4
Records: No. 25 Montevallo 21-6 (6-5 GSC) | (RV) West Alabama 18-5-1 (9-2 GSC)
Location: University Field | Livingston, Ala.
GAME NOTES
GAME TWO
Taylor Lloyd had a strong outing in the circle, allowing only one earned run in seven innings of work and striking out ten. The senior earned her 15th win and 13th complete game of the season.
Montevallo struck first in the second game of the day, as Bentlee Stiner reached on an error which ultimately led to Kiera Olson scoring in the top of the second inning. Riley Tyree followed that up with an RBI-single to score Stiner, putting the Falcons ahead 2-0.
The Tigers got on the board in the bottom of the fourth, plating a run to cut the deficit in half, 2-1.
Montevallo looked to add to its lead in the top of the sixth, as Ariana Pinder and Makayla Peters recorded singles to put two on with two outs. Stiner provided an RBI-single to score Pinder, extending the Montevallo lead to 3-1.
The Tigers rallied late, hitting a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh to cut the deficit back to one run. Lloyd shut the door with her tenth strikeout of the game to secure the Montevallo, 3-2, victory.
GAME INFORMATION
Score: No. 25 Montevallo 3 | (RV) West Alabama 2
Records: No. 25 Montevallo 22-6 (7-5 GSC) | (RV) West Alabama 18-6-1 (9-3 GSC)
Location: Central State Bank Arena | Montevallo, Ala.
GAME NOTES
UP NEXT: Montevallo returns back home this weekend, as the Falcons host Valdosta State (Mar. 20-21).
