MARION, N.C.— The Montreat baseball team played host to the Milligan University Buffaloes in an Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) doubleheader Friday afternoon at Big League Camp in Marion, N.C. As the two rivals squared off, the Cavaliers captured a tight 3-2 contest in the opener before falling in game two, 10-2. With the split, Montreat moved to 25-20-1 (14-11 AAC) on the year.
Game one started with a scoreless first inning, but the Cavs jumped out in front during the bottom half of the second.
Caleb Abshier roped a leadoff double into right center, and
Manny Moore lined a sacrifice fly into right for the early 1-0 advantage. Moore doubled Montreat's lead two frames later on a double steal attempt, putting the hosts on top 2-0 through four.
Daniel Willie hurled five shutout innings before the visitors broke through via a 2-run shot in the sixth. That proved to be all MU could muster against the Ooltewah, Tenn. native, however, as Willie scattered seven hits across seven frames. He also punched out nine batters in the no-decision.
Tommy Ramos delivered the Cavaliers' second sac fly of the ballgame in the bottom of the eighth, reclaiming the lead in the process.
Joe Tomasello did his job during the last two innings, keeping the Buffaloes off the scoreboard in both frames to seize the 3-2 victory and collect his third win of the season.
Offensively,
Jaider Morelos (2-3) and
Hunter Furches (2-3) combined for half of the hosts' eight hits. Ramos and Moore each tallied an RBI, while Morelos, Abshier and Moore scored once.
Milligan (28-16, 16-10 AAC) got off to a good start in game two, plating six runs on seven hits and an error in the top of the second. Moore cut into the deficit with a 2-run double during the ensuing half inning, but the visitors still maintained a 6-2 edge through two.
A 4-run third coupled with strong pitching aided the Buffaloes along their way to a 10-2 win. MU's starting pitcher retired 17 of the final 18 batters he faced following Moore's 2-RBI double, sealing the victory to set up tomorrow's rubber match.
Four different Cavs registered a base knock in game two as they were ultimately outhit by their counterparts, 13-4.
Nate Kiser,
Milo Trevino and
Donovan Parker each tossed a scoreless inning in relief during the defeat.
"The overall picture was we got the split that we needed," said head coach
Jason Beck. "Tomorrow, we need to show up and play with some confidence and do the same things required like we did in game one."
The Montreat baseball team meets up with Milligan tomorrow afternoon for the conclusion of the 3-game set. Senior day festivities are slated to begin around 11:30 a.m., and first pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m. at Newell Field in Montreat, N.C.
