MARION, N.C.— The Montreat baseball team wrapped up its 3-game series with the (RV) Reinhardt University Eagles Saturday afternoon at Big League Camp in Marion, N.C. In a contest that came down to a matter of inches on the final play, the Cavaliers fell by the slimmest of margins in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) affair, 9-8. With the defeat, the Cavs dropped to 18-18 (11-10 AAC) on the season.
 
After a quiet first inning, each team plated a pair of runs in the second. The Eagles utilized a trio of extra-base hits, including a 2-run homer to right, to take an early 2-0 lead. Meanwhile, a pair of errors helped the Cavaliers tie the contest at two in the bottom half of the frame. Two throwing errors allowed Caleb Abshier to both reach base and score, and Zeb Marquis notched a sacrifice fly to bring the hosts level on the scoreboard.
 
The Cavs grabbed their first lead of the day two innings later. Abshier started off the bottom of the fourth with a double, and a 2-out single off the bat of Jeff Cardazzone pushed the hosts in front of the Eagles, 3-2.
 
Reinhardt (23-10, 13-4 AAC) didn't trail for long, however, as the first four Eagles reached base safely in the fifth. With the bases loaded and no outs, the visitors hit a grand slam to move back ahead of the Cavs, 6-3. Tarik Latchmansingh got a run back with a no-doubt solo shot to left, but Montreat still trailed by a pair of runs (6-4) entering the final few innings.
 
The Eagles grew their edge on the scoreboard to 9-4 thanks to a 3-run shot in the top of the seventh. Jaider Morelos and Latchmansingh then answered with back-to-back solo jacks in the following half-inning to trim the deficit down to 9-6 with just two frames to play.
 
In a dramatic ninth frame, the Cavaliers nearly did enough to stay alive. A pair of walks and a hit batter loaded the bases with nobody out for the hosts. Following a strikeout, Latchmansingh picked up his third RBI of the day via a sacrifice fly. Down to its final out, Abshier grounded a ball to third base and beat out a high throw to plate a run; however, in the chaos of the final play, Reinhardt nabbed the trailing baserunner at home by inches, stopping the Cavs' rally in the process. With the final out recorded, Montreat came up just short, 9-8.
 
"Overall, it was a good weekend, but we lost the game within the game, which could've made it easier for us," said head coach Jason Beck. "We'll continue to work on the small things that should help us win games moving forward."
 
Abshier (3-5), Latchmansingh (2-4) and Cardazzone (2-4) each registered multiple hits in the defeat, while Latchmansingh also tallied multiple homers (2 HR) and a trio of RBIs. Daniel Willie tossed eight innings as Montreat's starter, and Joe Tomasello threw a scoreless ninth frame with two strikeouts.
 
While each team hit three homers, all nine of Reinhardt's runs came via the longball. On the other side, Montreat totaled three solo shots. Combined, the two sides hit 17 home runs during the 3-game series.
 
The Montreat baseball team travels to St. Andrews University on Friday for the beginning of its 3-game series with the Knights. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. in Laurinburg, N.C.