MONTEVALLO, Ala. – The University of Montevallo edged out the University of West Alabama 6-5 and 9-8 to complete the sweep in the Falcon Softball program's opening day.
Monevallo begins its inaugural season 2-0, while the Tigers fall to 0-2.
The Tigers fell behind four runs in game one before senior
Scarlett Wright put her team on the board with a two-run shot to centerfield that cut the Montevallo lead to 4-2 in the top of the fifth.
Ashley Stassin, in her first game as a Tiger, followed with a two-run homer in the top of the sixth to tie the game at 4-4. Fellow newcomer
Lacey Santiago scored later in the inning on a fielding error to give the Tigers their first lead at 5-4.
The Falcons responded in the seneth with two runs off of a double to centerfield by Sydney Aguilar to collect the first win.
Game two ended in similar fashion as Montevallo captured a 9-8 victory off a three-run hit to right field by Dylan Bailey to overcome trailing 8-6 in the bottom of the seventh. The Tigers had taken the lead on three occasions in the first, third and sixth innings.
Treasure Rodriguez led the way offensively with four hits and three RBI on the day. The junior from Sunnyvale, Calif. was one of three Tigers to hit homeruns along with Stassin and Wright.
"You never want to lose two on the road, but at the same time there were a lot of bright spots," said UWA head Coach
Will Atkinson.
"We did manage to score 13 runs today and I think we only had one official error on the books. We did some things well. We'll make some minor adjustments, come out ready to go and get after it next week."
Higgerson pitched a complete game in game one and closed the final two innings of game two to pick up her first two wins. She struck out 10 batters and gave up six runs and 10 hits through nine combined innings.
Alli Hall stated in the circle for the Tigers in game one, but allowed six runs on seven hits to pick up the loss. Hall finished the day with five total strikeouts; four in game one.
Giana Cavallaro pitched through two innings after entering in the fifth to take the loss in game two. She allowed four runs on four hits through two innings.
The Tigers return to action Tuesday in their home opener against non-conference opponent Miles College. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the UWA Softball Complex.
