WALESKA, Ga.— In a non-conference matchup between two Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) programs, the Montreat baseball team headed down to Waleska, Ga. Monday afternoon to battle the 11
th-ranked Reinhardt University Eagles. While the contest had no bearing on the AAC standings, the hosts still added to their overall win total with a 17-7 7-inning victory, dropping the Cavaliers to 20-19-1 in the process.
Reinhardt (27-11) utilized a trio of homers to jump in front early and seize a 5-0 lead through three frames. A pair of blasts plus an RBI single plated four in the first, while a solo shot in the third grew the Eagles' advantage to five runs.
Isaac Castro and
Collin Nelson launched back-to-back jacks in the top of the fourth as the Cavs found their way onto the scoreboard. Castro's rocket to left scored a pair, while Nelson's home run trimmed the visitors' deficit to 5-3; however, a wild pitch and two 2-run shots during the ensuing half inning ultimately resulted in RU expanding its edge out to 10-3 through four.
Zeb Marquis continued the home run derby with a leadoff bomb in the fifth, and
Manny Moore trimmed the gap to 10-5 via an RBI single to short. Unfortunately for Montreat, three walks and two hit batters in the bottom of the frame allowed the Eagles to restore their 7-run lead.
The Cavaliers scored in their third consecutive inning thanks to
Will Gamble's 2-out, 2-RBI double off the left field wall during the sixth, but Reinhardt eventually landed the final blow. A 5-run seventh inning ensured a 17-7 run-rule triumph for the home team.
Five different Cavs recorded two hits in the defeat as both teams tallied 14 knocks. Gamble and Castro each drove in a pair, while Marquis scored twice.
Donovan Parker (1 IP) and
Bryan Borrego (1 2/3 IP) were the lone Montreat pitchers to toss a scoreless frame.
The Montreat baseball team makes its return to Newell Field on Friday for the start of a 3-game set versus the Union Commonwealth University Bulldogs. First pitch is slated for 3 p.m. in Montreat, N.C.
