CLEVELAND, Ga.— The Montreat College baseball team continued its impressive run on Thursday afternoon after claiming a win against the Truett McConnell University Bears. The Cavaliers came out on with a 9-5 final score, extending their winning streak to 11 games. The Cavs also remained unbeaten in Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) play. As a result of the contest, Montreat improved to 11-3 (4-0 AAC) on the year, while TMU dropped to 4-8 overall (0-4 AAC).
The visitors opened the game strongly with
Tommy Ramos launching a two-run homer in the first inning to drive in
Zachary Long after his walk.
Daniel Restrepo added a triple, but the frame ended with Montreat leading 2-0.
Truett McConnell responded quickly in the second with two runs, utilizing a 2-RBI single to even the score at 2-2. In the third inning, the Cavs took back the lead with a two-run double from Restrepo, scoring Ramos and
Gustavo Gonzalez. That extra-base knock brought the scoreline to 4-2 in favor of the Cavaliers after three.
In the fifth inning,
Justin Austin mashed his third homer of the year to extend his squad's lead to 5-2. Montreat added another run in the seventh inning. Gonzalez reached base on a single to right field and later scored on a double by Ramos, bringing the lead to 6-2.
The eighth inning saw the Cavs capitalize further, scoring three insurance runs. Austin's RBI single brought home
Matthew Brunner, followed by Gonzalez's RBI single, which allowed
Kaden Ethier to score. Long's sacrifice fly plated Austin, extending the advantage to 9-3.
Despite two runs by the Bears in the ninth, the Cavaliers ultimately secured a 9-5 victory.
"It was a good win today," said head coach
Jason Beck. "We didn't play as sharply as we wanted, but we battled and made the pitches we needed and came up with good at-bats. We know we need to continue to improve and clean things up, but I'm proud of the grit these guys have shown so far."
Bryton Williams was on the bump for the Cavs, throwing six innings, allowing three hits, two runs and two walks, while striking out one batter.
Nick Kantzavelos contributed a pair of frames, giving up three hits and one earned run with 3 strikeouts.
Daniel Paton pitched the final inning, surrendering two unearned runs on one hit.
Austin recorded two hits, including a home run, and drove in two runs. Gonzalez added three hits and one RBI while crossing the plate twice. Ramos contributed two extra-base hits, a homer and a double, with three RBIs. Restrepo added offensively as well with two hits and added a couple of RBIs.
Looking ahead, Montreat will continue its series against Truett McConnell University on Friday, Feb. 20 with a doubleheader. Game one is slated to begin at 2 p.m. in Cleveland, Ga.
