MONTREAT, N.C.— After winning a high-scoring extra-inning affair yesterday afternoon, the Montreat baseball team wrapped up its three-game series with the University of Pikeville Bears on Saturday. The visitors left Newell Field with wins in both contests, taking a 13-0 run-rule shortened victory in seven innings before seizing a come-from-behind 11-6 win in game two. With the defeats, the Cavaliers fell to 15-22 (7-11 AAC) on the season.
Pikeville (15-18, 10-11 AAC) controlled the opening contest from the jump. The Bears followed up a one-run first with 11 additional runs across the ensuing two frames. UPIKE also scored a run in the seventh, bringing its offensive total in the ballgame to 13 runs.
Held scoreless in the initial matchup, the Cavs mustered three hits against Pikeville pitching.
Jaider Morelos notched two of those knocks, while
Dawson Bryant recorded a single and a walk. Thanks to their combination of offense and defense, the Bears needed just seven innings to seal a 13-0 triumph.
Isaac Vasquez was the lone Montreat pitcher to turn in a scoreless effort during game one. He tossed three perfect frames, retiring all nine batters he faced.
Montreat jumped out to a 4-0 advantage in the latter half of Saturday's twin bill.
Kaden Ethier singled home
Manny Moore in the bottom of the second, and
Devon Smith launched a three-run shot to center a few moments later.
UPIKE answered with five consecutive runs across the third and fourth innings, claiming a 5-4 edge in the process.
Jason Brulport and Morelos helped the Cavaliers answer, though, as each registered an RBI to hand the hosts a 6-5 lead through four.
While both offenses were quiet in the fifth and sixth, Pikeville's bats managed to erupt in the seventh. In their final trip to the plate, the Bears more than doubled their run total. A solo shot kicked off a six-run seventh, and the visitors turned a series loss into a series victory with their 11-6 win.
Ethier racked up three of Montreat's 10 hits in game two. Smith paced the squad with three RBIs, while
Daniel Wagner scored a pair of runs.
Matt Campos and
Ryan Henrickson each delivered a scoreless performance. Campos struck out one batter and didn't allow a hit across 2 2/3 innings, and Henrickson wasn't charged with a run in his 2/3 innings.
Montreat continues its homestand and conference play next Friday when Columbia International University comes to town. First pitch of the series opener is slated for 3 p.m. at Newell Field in Montreat, N.C.
