BLUEFIELD, Va.— The Montreat College baseball team was back on the road for the start of an Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) series against the Bluefield University Rams. The Cavaliers played the first two matchups of the three-game set on Saturday, picking up a win in both contests. The pair of victories extended the Cavs' winning streak to 15 games, their longest since at least 2004. Montreat came out on top in game one with a 12-0 run-rule victory in seven innings, and after scoring three runs during their final at-bats, the Cavaliers edged out a 7-5 triumph in game two. As a result of the doubleheader, the Cavs climbed to 15-3 (8-0 AAC) on the year, while the Rams slid to 5-6 (0-4 AAC).
Game one opened with a three-run first inning for Montreat. Justin Austin singled to right field and advanced to second on a wild pitch. A walk to Zachary Long put runners on first and second before Tommy Ramos hit a three-run homer to center field, bringing in Wilmer Bolivar, who pinch ran for Long, and Austin.
After several scoreless frames, the fifth and sixth innings saw the Cavaliers extend their lead. Ramos doubled down the left-field line and scored on Daniel Restrepo's single. Restrepo later sprinted home on a double steal attempt, bringing the score to 5-0. Then, in the sixth, Kaden Ethier reached base on a single and advanced to second on a throwing error. Gustavo Gonzalez drove him in with a double to left center, increasing the Cavs' advantage to 6-0.
Montreat's offense erupted in the seventh frame, adding six more runs. Bolivar, who was hit by a pitch, scored on Jason Brulport's groundout. Gabriel Ferrell, who singled in his pinch-hit appearance, scored on Austin's RBI double. Gonzalez then brought in Austin with a base hit. Finally, Ramos hit his second three-run blast of the game, plating Long, Jack Weisman and himself. The homer capped off a six-run inning, allowing the visitors to close out a run-rule victory in just seven frames, 12-0.
Bryton Williams picked up the win after delivering his first collegiate complete-game shutout, pitching seven innings without allowing a run. Williams struck out five and let up just three hits. The Hudson, Fla. native faced just two batters over the minimum.
Ramos led the way with three hits, including two home runs, and drove in six. Austin contributed by scoring two runs and added a double among his two knocks. Gonzalez recorded two hits and drove in two runs, adding a double to his performance.
The second game of the twin bill took notes from the first as the Cavaliers scored another three runs in the opening frame. Gonzalez doubled to left center and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Long's single through the left side then brought Gonzalez home. Ramos continued to impress by mashing his third long ball of the day, sending in Long and putting the Cavs ahead 3-0.
In the third inning, Gonzalez doubled again and later scored on a single by Restrepo, extending Montreat's lead. However, Bluefield responded with a five-run frame. The hosts capitalized on a series of wild pitches and timely hits to take a 5-4 lead by the end of the third.
Both sides went quiet on offense for the next few innings until the Cavaliers took back the lead in dramatic fashion during the top of the seventh. Bolivar, who was pinch running for Austin, advanced to second on a groundout and to third on a wild pitch. Ramos reached base on an intentional walk and was pinch ran for by Hunter Furches. Restrepo then came to the plate and delivered what was ultimately the game-winning blow. The Miami native launched one over the left field wall with two outs, scoring Bolivar and Furches to put the Cavs ahead, 7-5. Hunter Rast shut the hosts down in the bottom half of the frame, sealing the doubleheader sweep and clinching the AAC series.
"Today was another great team effort," said Head Coach Jason Beck. "We constantly remind these guys to trust each other, telling them that the next guy will pick them up. Today was a perfect example of that, as so many guys contributed to these two wins. They are showing so much fight, and I hope it continues."
Ja'Lan Chambers started the game for Montreat, pitching 2 1/3 innings with four strikeouts, allowing five earned runs on three hits and four walks. Nick Kantzavelos took over in relief, hurling 3 2/3 innings without allowing a run, striking out one and giving up four hits. The upperclassman ultimately picked up the win. Rast closed the game, earning his fifth save of the campaign by pitching a scoreless seventh inning with one strikeout and no hits.
Gonzalez led Montreat with three hits and two doubles, scoring twice in the contest. Ramos contributed a home run and drove in two runs while also scoring once. Restrepo added a homer and four RBIs, collecting two hits in the process. Long recorded one base knock, drove in one run and scored once during the game.
In its next game, Montreat will wrap up its AAC series against Bluefield on Sunday, March 1. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m. in Bluefield, Va.
