LAURINBURG, N.C.— The Montreat baseball team opened a three-game nonconference series with the St. Andrews University Knights Saturday afternoon in Laurinburg, N.C. While the Cavaliers dropped the initial contest by a 6-1 final, they bounced back to seize a 6-1 lead in game two before it was called due to darkness following five complete innings. With the lone defeat, Montreat fell to 1-3 on the year.
Merritt Evans dominated the Knights as he got the start on the mound for game one. The righty from Rincon, Ga. hurled 6 2/3 innings, striking out six while surrendering just three hits and no runs.
Offensively,
Jason Brulport plated
Manny Moore on a groundout to give the visitors a 1-0 lead in the top of the first; however, Montreat didn't score the remainder of the way, and a big bottom of the eighth flipped the game in SAU's favor. St. Andrews (1-0) scored six runs during the frame, turning its late deficit into a multi-run lead. The Knights' bullpen closed it out from there as the hosts won the opener, 6-1.
The Cavs bounced back in game two with a pair of runs in the second, third and fourth innings.
Hunter Furches delivered an RBI double in the top of the fourth, and he later came around to score and push Montreat's lead up to 6-0.
On the bump,
Ashe Ammerlaan allowed only one hit while punching out five Knights in his four innings of work. The Cavaliers owned a 6-1 lead over the hosts through five complete frames when the latter half of the doubleheader was suspended due to darkness.
Moore was the only Montreat batter to rack up multiple base knocks on Saturday. The Van, Texas native batted 3-for-6 with a double across 14 innings of play. Moore and Furches each registered a double, while Brulport totaled five walks over seven plate appearances.
Montreat and St. Andrews resume game two on Sunday at 12 p.m., with game three of the series to follow shortly after.
***St. Andrews University did not provide stats or video for Saturday's contests. Any stats mentioned in this article are unofficial.***
