CLEVELAND, Ga.— The Montreat College baseball team continued its Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) series against the Truett McConnell University Bears with a doubleheader on Friday. The Cavaliers finished a clean sweep of the series, grabbing a victory in both games to extend the program's winning streak to 13, its longest since at least 2004. Game one ended with a final score of 6-4, and game two finished with a 5-4 scoreline. The two triumphs improved the Cavs' record to 13-3 (6-0 AAC), while TMU fell to 4-10 (0-6 AAC).
"Today was a great day," said head coach Jason Beck. "Everybody contributed with the sweep this weekend. The fight continues to carry the team over this stretch, and it's good to see. We still need to clean things up a bit, but we are showing up trusting the 'next guy up' mantra."
Game one of the afternoon saw no action from either side in the first. The second inning, however, proved to be more exciting for Montreat. Daniel Restrepo opened the scoring with a solo home run to left center, giving the Cavaliers a 1-0 lead.
The visitors continued to add on in their half of the fourth as the Cavs found more success with the long ball. Restrepo saw himself rounding the bases once again with another solo shot. Matthew Brunner didn't want to be left out, so he went deep with a blast of his own during the very next at-bat. The pair of homers pushed the lead to 3-0 through four frames.
The Bears responded in the sixth inning, scoring their first run off a single to center field. Montreat broke the game open in the top of the seventh, though. Kaden Ethier reached on an error, and Justin Austin doubled, setting up Gustavo Gonzalez's three-run blast to left field. TMU answered with two runs during the ensuing half inning on a groundout and a single, closing the gap to 6-3 through seven.
Despite TMU adding another run in the eighth inning, the Cavs' defense and pitching held firm in the ninth to secure the win, 6-4.
Ryan Henrickson picked up the win after tossing seven innings for Montreat. He allowed three runs on five hits while striking out one and walking three. Ethan Caldwell contributed an inning of relief, giving up one run on two hits. Hunter Rast closed the game, pitching a scoreless ninth inning with one walk and three groundouts to secure his fourth save of the season.
Restrepo delivered a standout performance, hitting two home runs. Gonzalez contributed the game-changing three-run blast, marking his only hit in the game. Brunner added to the power display with a solo homer. Austin also made an impact, collecting two hits, including a double, and scoring one run.
The Cavaliers wasted no time in getting the scoring started for game two. Austin reached based on a leadoff single to start the first inning and later scored on a single by Tommy Ramos. After the Bears tied the game in the second frame, the Cavs responded right back with a big inning in the third. Zachary Long's double set up Ramos for another RBI single, followed by Restrepo's third homer of the day, plating both him and Ramos. TMU scored twice during the bottom half of the frame, but Montreat maintained a 4-3 advantage through three.
Truett McConnell tied the game again in the fourth, but the visitors regained the lead in the seventh. Wilmer Bolivar, pinch-running for Long, scored on an RBI single by Brunner, securing a 5-4 edge.
The Cavs held the Bears scoreless in the final inning to secure a 5-4 victory.
Ja'Lan Chambers started the game for Montreat, pitching two hitless innings while striking out three. He issued four walks and hit one batter, resulting in one run. Trevor Laughlin relieved Chambers, hurling three frames, giving up two hits and three runs. Jordon Hart came in for a brief appearance, facing only two batters and walking them both. Rast then finished the game with two solid innings, striking out three and not allowing any hits to secure a win for the Cavaliers.
Long registered with two hits, including a double, and scored a run. Ramos recorded two hits and plated a pair. Restrepo added another home run while collecting two RBIs. Brunner went a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate while also driving in a run.
In its next game, Montreat will look to keep its AAC record perfect as it faces off against Bluefield University. First pitch of the three-game series is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 27 in Bluefield, Va.
