MONTEVALLO, Ala. – Georgia Southwestern saw its four-game win streak against the Falcons come to an end Tuesday as the University of Montevallo, receiving votes in the latest NFCA Division II Coaches Poll, swept the Hurricanes 8-0 and 2-1 at Orr Park.
Montevallo used timely hitting and strong pitching performances to defend their home field and improve to 18-4 overall. The Hurricanes fall to 9-6.
Tuesday's Top Performers
Game 1 – Falcons Break It Open Late in 8-0 Decision
Montevallo struck first in the opening inning and steadily built separation in a six-inning 8-0 victory behind a complete-game effort from Taylor Lloyd.
The Falcons manufactured a run in the first on a triple and sacrifice situation, then added two more in the fourth following back-to-back RBI singles to stretch the lead to 3-0.
GSW threatened in the fifth when
Erin Garland and
Madison Griffis delivered consecutive singles and
Rebecca Hazard worked a walk to load traffic, but Montevallo worked out of the jam to keep the Lady Hurricanes off the scoreboard.
An unearned run in the fifth pushed the margin to 4-0 before the Falcons capitalized on free passes and timely hitting in the sixth to plate four more and end the game.
Johnson (5-4) worked 5 1/3 innings in the circle, navigating eight walks while limiting Montevallo to one extra-base hit through the first five frames. The Falcons finished with nine hits, while GSW managed four.
Banks, Huelsman, Garland and Griffis each recorded a hit in the opener.
Game 2 – McDonald's Seventh-Inning Homer Not Enough in 2–1 Loss
The nightcap unfolded as a tight, low-scoring battle.
Montevallo took a 1-0 lead in the first inning after loading the bases and scoring on a hit-by-pitch. The Falcons added what proved to be the decisive run in the fifth on a sacrifice fly following consecutive singles and a stolen base.
Burns (3-1) kept the Hurricanes within striking distance all afternoon, scattering six hits across six innings and inducing 11 ground-ball outs.
GSW put consistent pressure on Montevallo's pitching staff, tallying seven hits and moving runners into scoring position in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings, but could not deliver the tying knock.
The breakthrough finally came in the seventh when McDonald turned on a pitch and drove it over the left-field wall to cut the deficit to 2-1. Hazard followed with a single, and the Hurricanes drew a walk to bring the tying run aboard, but Montevallo's Berkley Mooney secured the final out to earn the save.
Banks collected two hits in Game 2, while Huelsman added two singles and a stolen base.
Up Next
GSW returns home to host Lander University for the opening weekend of Peach Belt Conference play. The three-game series begins Friday at 6 p.m.
