GREENWOOD – The University of Montevallo rallied for three runs in the eighth inning to beat No. 2 Lander 4-3 Saturday afternoon, earning a Peach Belt Conference double-header split against the Bearcats at Dolny Stadium. Lander won the opener 11-4.

The Bearcats are 23-5 overall and 14-3 in the PBC. Montevallo is 21-10, 11-6.

The teams will play the third game of the series at noon Sunday at Dolny Stadium.

Montevallo took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning of Game 1 when Will Fulmer singled and scored on Jackson Slaid's double down the right-field line.

Lander tied it in the second when Weston Lawing reached on an error and scored on Ian Harvey's double into the left-field corner.

The Bearcats took a 2-1 lead in the third when Patrick Grady walked, raced to third on Connor Lewis's single, and scored on a single by Lawing.

Lander broke the game open with five runs in the fifth, featuring a run-scoring single by Lewis, a two-run single by Colby Painter, and an RBI single by Chris Hyatt that made it 7-1.

The Falcons pulled within 7-2 in the top of the sixth when Zach Willoughby doubled and scored on Jeremy Hyde's single up the middle.

The Bearcats increased their lead to 11-2 in the bottom of the sixth. Lunde and Grady were hit by pitches, Lewis singled home a run, Grady scored on a balk, and Jeff May blasted a two-run homer over the left-field fence. It was May's fourth homer of the season.

The run support was plenty for Chess Malone (6-1), who allowed two runs on seven hits in eight innings of work. He walked two and struck out four. Johnny Walker pitched the ninth for Lander, allowing two runs.

Leading hitters for the Bearcats in Game 1 were Lewis, 3-for-5 with two RBI; and Hyatt, 2-for-4. Grady scored three runs while Lunde, Lewis and Lawing each scored twice. Lander batters were hit by pitches seven times.

Willoughby was Montevallo's leading hitter in the opener, going 2-for-4.

The Falcons took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fifth inning of Game 2 when Todd Thompson walked, moved to second on a balk, stopped at third when Fulmer reached on an infield single, and scored as Austin Dubberly was barely thrown out on an RBI drag bunt to the right side.

The Bearcats tied it with a run in the bottom of the fifth when Hyatt drew a two-out walk, moved to second on Harvey's single, and scored on Graham Ramos's single to left.

The game was tied going into the seventh when Montevallo's Fulmer hit a rocket into right center that Lander center fielder Harvey laid out and made a spectacular diving catch to save extra bases.

The Bearcats jumped ahead in the bottom of the seventh with Hyatt once again starting the rally with a walk. Hyatt stopped at third on Harvey's double over the right fielder's head, and scored on Lunde's sacrifice fly to center. Harvey scored on a wild pitch, making it 3-1.

But the Falcons responded in a big way, scoring three runs to grab a 4-3 lead. Vinny Rodriguez drew a leadoff walk from Lander reliever Ryan Jones and scored on Slaid's double. Willoughby's single brought home Slaid with the tying run. Willoughby reached second on a wild pitch and scored what proved to be the game-winning run on Hyde's single to left.

Lander starting pitcher Dylan Wolchick pitched well despite not getting the decision, allowing one run on six hits in seven innings of work. He walked three and struck out six, and left the game with a 3-1 lead.

Josh Clemen (3-3) got the win for the Falcons, pitching a complete game. He allowed three runs on seven hits, walking five and striking out eight.

Jones (0-1) took the loss for Lander.

Leading hitters in Game 2 were Willoughby and Andrew Hill with two hits apiece for Montevallo. Harvey paced the Bearcats, going 3-for-4 while Ramos went 2-for-5.