CLEVELAND, Miss. — The Delta State University Softball team dropped a Gulf South Conference matchup to the 20^th ranked Falcons from the University of  Montevallo, 8-1, on Thursday evening at University Field.

Montevallo (31-6, 14-5 GSC) wasted no time taking control, plating three runs in the opening inning before adding two more in the second to build an early 5-0 advantage. The Falcons continued to add insurance runs throughout the contest, including a pair of home runs from Taylor Rogers, who finished with three hits and three RBIs.

Delta State (12-22, 6-13 GSC) broke through in the fourth inning. Carly Dunigan singled to start the frame, and Calli McConnell followed with a double down the left field line. Maya Mills drove in the Lady Statesmen's lone run with an RBI single to center, cutting the deficit to 5-1.

Mills led Delta State at the plate, going a perfect 3-for-3 with an RBI. Dunigan added two hits and scored the team's only run, while McConnell also recorded a multi-hit performance.

In the circle, Maeve Lavoy (6-7) went the distance for Delta State, allowing 11 hits while striking out one.

Montevallo's Taylor Lloyd (21-3) earned the win, tossing a complete game while allowing just one run on eight hits and striking out three.

The Lady Statesmen will look to bounce back as the two teams conclude the three-game series, with a double header at University Field tomorrow at 12:00 p.m. (CT).