MONTEVALLO, Ala. – Tuskegee baseball battled through a tightly contested non-conference matchup but ultimately fell 3-1 to Montevallo at Kermit A. Johnson Field at Bob Riesener Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.
The Golden Tigers moved to 3-8 overall, struggling to capitalize on offensive opportunities while Montevallo used timely hits and strong pitching to secure the victory.
Montevallo struck first in the bottom of the first, with a solo home run to deep left-center, giving the Falcons an early 1-0 lead.
The inning continued after another runner reached base safely on an error, followed by a walk, but Tuskegee starter Richard Powell Jr. escaped further damage by inducing a double play to end the threat.
The game settled into a pitcher's duel, with Powell and Montevallo's Zach Wyatt keeping both offenses in check.
Tuskegee had an opportunity in the top of the second inning after a single from Jacobi Brooks, but the Golden Tigers stranded a runner in scoring position.
Tuskegee's defense stepped up in the third and fourth innings, turning a double play in the third and holding Montevallo scoreless in the fourth despite a leadoff single from the Falcons.
In the top of the fifth inning, the Golden Tigers finally broke through.
After Alandas Armistad reached on an error and Samarion Ward doubled to right-center, bringing in the tying run to make it 1-1. However, Tuskegee was unable to capitalize further, stranding Ward at second.
Montevallo quickly responded in the bottom of the fifth, retaking the lead with a second home run from Connor Crowson, his second of the day. McGwire Turner followed with an RBI double to extend the Falcons' lead to 3-1.
Tuskegee struggled to generate offense the rest of the way, managing just one hit over the final four innings. Montevallo's bullpen shut down the Golden Tigers, combining for five scoreless innings with eight strikeouts.
Powell Jr. delivered a solid performance on the mound, pitching 4.0 innings while allowing just two hits, one earned run, two walks, and striking out two in a no-decision.
Isaiah Jones took the loss, moving to 0-2 on the season after pitching 4.0 innings, surrendering three hits, two earned runs, and one walk with no strikeouts.
Offensively, Ward went 1-3 with a double and RBI, while Ryan Morrow recorded a team-high two hits in four at-bats, and Brooks added a single on the day.
Up Next
Tuskegee returns to play on Saturday for a crucial road SIAC series against Clark Atlanta this weekend. The Golden Tigers will look to get back in the win column as they continue their early season road-heavy schedule.
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