MONTREAT, N.C.— The Montreat baseball team used a dramatic finish to capture an 8-7 victory over the Truett McConnell University Bears in the series finale at Newell Field Monday afternoon. With the triumph, the Cavaliers improved to 16-14 overall and 9-6 in conference play.
 
After Ben Cornelius stranded a pair of Truett McConnell baserunners in the top of the first, the Cavaliers secured the initial run of the ballgame. Norman Kelly walked and stole second before Jaider Morelos, who leads the team with 28 RBIs, knocked him in with a single through the right side to give the home side a 1-0 advantage.
 
The Bears responded to knot the game in the fourth and, following an RBI single off the bat of Elijah Baptist, TMU plated five in the sixth to lead 6-2. The Cavs then answered with a trio of runs in the bottom of the frame as part of four consecutive half innings with runs. A double play produced the first of the scores, while Daniel Wetmore hit his first home run of the year to pull Montreat within one (6-5) through six full innings.
 
Truett McConnell (15-9, 8-6 AAC) gave itself an insurance run in the seventh; however, that was not enough to hold the Cavaliers at bay. Facing its final three outs with a 7-5 deficit, Montreat rallied thanks to its second 3-spot of the contest. Zeb Marquis started the rally with a 1-out single, and a bases-loaded walk by Will Gamble coupled with a throwing error scored the pair of runs that tied the matchup at seven. Wetmore then reached base for the third time in the competition as he drew another bases-loaded walk to hand the Cavs their 8-7 win.
 
Marquis (2-3), Morelos (2-4) and Wetmore (2-3) all registered multi-hit contests, while Wetmore scored twice and recorded three RBIs. Joe Tomasello earned his second win of the year by pitching a scoreless ninth.
 
Baseball continues AAC play with a series at Columbia International beginning on Friday. First pitch of the competition is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.