MARION, N.C.— Facing the Milligan University Buffaloes in an Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) doubleheader at Big League Camp Friday afternoon, the Montreat baseball team dropped the first contest 3-2, but rebounded in the second competition to win 5-3 and improve to 16-12 (5-6 AAC) on the year.
 
In game one of the doubleheader, the Buffaloes struck first, going up 2-0 in the initial frame thanks to a two-run home run. Despite the early setback, Montreat bounced back with a pair of runs over the ensuing two innings to even the score.
 
A combination of three passed balls and two wild pitches put Cavalier baserunners in favorable positions over the opening three frames. In the first, Ashton Hawkins plated Rafael Padilla on a single to center following a catcher's miscue before a wild pitch scored Noah Medina in the second.
 
After the Cavs tied the contest, the Buffaloes used two hits in the top of the fourth to regain their advantage thanks to a double down the line passed third base. The Montreat offense was stunted from that point on as Gaven Jones pitched six hitless innings, five perfect, in relief for the visitors to shut down any hope of a Cavalier comeback.
 
The Cavs, who finished with only two hits in the first competition, got solid pitching outings from each of their players on the mound. Noah Christopher tossed 6.0 innings, allowing just three runs on six hits, while striking out a trio of Milligan batters. Zach Gilbertsen, Hiroki Shimazu, Hunter Smith and Robert Fernandez combined for three scoreless innings. Those four surrendered a mere three hits and one walk over the span.
 
The Cavaliers got on the board early in game number two, utilizing a leadoff bomb by Padilla to right center to go up 1-0 in the first.
 
In the second, Montreat added to its lead fueled by more shots over the fence. Jeff Cardazzone launched a solo home run to left center, his first of the season, to double the Cavs' advantage. Padilla then blasted a no-doubter for his second homer in as many at-bats and his fifth of the year to the other power alley to put the home team up 3-0 through two.
 
Although the Buffaloes would erase their deficit with a two-run third and a squeeze play in the top of the fourth, Padilla and the Cavaliers would answer again.
 
The Patagonia, Ariz. native stepped into the box in the bottom of the fourth and proceeded to blast his third solo shot of the day over the wall to restore Montreat's edge. Padilla, who ended the second competition as the only Cav with multiple hits (3-for-4), tallied three RBIs and as many runs scored.
 
In a pinch-hit situation in the sixth, Rey Gonce then powered the team's fifth solo home run of the second game alone to left center to seal the 5-3 victory. Five of the Cavaliers' seven hits were driven over the outfield fence, while Milligan recorded just four hits in game two.
 
The Buffaloes' struggles at the plate were attributed to Jared Drayton, who got the win with his complete-game performance. Drayton gave up four hits and three runs but struck out six visiting batters en route to his third triumph of the season.
 
Baseball will now finish its three-game set with the Buffaloes on Sunday at Big League Camp. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.