March 16, 2008
MONTEVALLO, Ala. - The University of West Florida baseball team started the 2008 conference schedule by dropping two out of three games at Montevallo this weekend. The Argos dropped the rubber game of the series by an 8-6 score, as the Falcons tallied two runs just after a double play ground ball went astray for the Argos defense. Relief pitcher Sixto Velasco pitched admirably, which gave the Argos a chance to win, while Jackson Woodard was three for four with two runs batted in.
Head Coach Mike Jeffcoat stated after the game, "pitching has been our Achilles heel this year...we are averaging seven walks a game, and had seven walks today. I am happy with the fight of our team, and we are getting a lot out of our offense, but we can't overcome the walks." West Florida had more hits (10) than Montevallo's eight, but walks and hit by pitches gave the Falcons too many extra base runners.
Sixto Velasco entered the game in relief and pitched the final 2 1/3 innings, giving up only one hit, but the two unearned runs gave him the loss. Coach Mike Jeffcoat complemented Velasco's work, "Sixto's relief effort was a good outing and gave us a chance to win, but we had a breakdown defensively." The Argos were about to turn a doubleplay, but the throw to second base hit the baserunner and everyone advanced.
West Florida started the scoring with two runs in the third inning. Jackson Woodard and Brandon Brewer had consecutive singles, and then a walk to Kyle Andrews loaded the bases. Steven Bingert singled in one run, and the second scored on a sacrifice fly by Greg Pron. Montevallo took the lead in the bottom of the fourth, when they scored five runs on three hits, and were helped by two hit batters reaching base, and a grand slam home run.
West Florida tied the score with three runs in the sixth inning. Eric Kroll had an RBI single, and then Jackson Woodard drilled a two run single. The two teams would trade runs in the next two innings, and the game was tied at six entering the bottom of the eighth inning, when the Falcons scored the two unearned runs to take the win. Montevallo improved to 19-10 on the season, and 2-1 in the conference, while UWF dropped to 12-16 on the season, and 1-2 in the conference.
Jon Reed added two hits, including a double, and an RBI for UWF, while Brandon Brewer, Kyle Andrews, and Eric Kroll each had a stolen base for the Argos. Craig Westcott added a single and a run scored.
In other GSC action on Sunday, North Alabama swept West Georgia by scores of 12-3 (9 inn.) and 5-2 (7 inn.), and West Alabama swept Alabama Huntsville by scores of 2-1 (9 inn.) and 3-2 (7 inn.). West Florida's next conference games are at home next weekend with a three game series with North Alabama at Pelican Park. The Argos play two non-conference games against Lyon on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings this week at Pelican Park.
