MONTREAT, N.C.— Montreat's baseball team took a break from Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) play and faced off against a future AAC member in the Spartanburg Methodist College Pioneers Tuesday afternoon. The Cavs survived to improve to 7-10 with a 16-15 win.
After surrendering two runs in the top of the first inning, the Cavs put up nine runs in their response that was capped off by a
Justin Austin no-doubter to right center field. The inning featured three singles and two consecutive doubles. Twelve Cavs came to bat in the quick start.
At the end of three frames, the Cavs led 11-3. SMC (2-13) didn't quit, however, and scored three in back-to-back innings while only giving up one run. The Pioneers continued to come back and scored six runs combined in the seventh and eighth innings.
Going into the bottom of the eighth, the score was level at 15. The Cavs scored the go-ahead run from a
Jaider Morelos fielder's choice that allowed Austin to score.
Hunter Rast finished off the game, claiming the final two outs from strikeouts. In his effort, Rast secured his second win of the year.
Montreat used five arms in the contest, with
Dawson Yokley pitching four complete innings. The rest of the relievers allowed nine runs from 12 hits. They notched five walks and four strikeouts.
The bats were on fire as the Cavs swung for 14 hits. A trio of Cavaliers had three knocks. Austin went 3-for-4 in the game with two singles and a home run.
Manny Moore and
Richard Matos Delacruz registered their three hits from five at-bats.
Zeb Marquis was productive in every plate appearance on the day. He came to the dish six times and totaled five runs, two RBIs, two walks, a sacrifice fly and a hit-by-pitch.
The Cavs went 15-for-40 with 13 RBIs. They walked 10 times and only struck out eight times. Montreat stole six bases and was only caught once. The Cavs committed three errors in their win.
"It was a tough day but we were able to squeak out a victory which was great," said head coach
Jason Beck. "We walked a lot of guys today, but I was glad to see the offense come alive. We squandered an early lead but every time they scored, we answered."
Up next for the Cavs, they jump back into AAC play with a home weekend series against the Kentucky Christian University Knights. The series opener is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Friday.
