BLUEFIELD, Va.— The Montreat College baseball team erased a pair of two-run deficits at Bluefield University on Sunday afternoon, sweeping the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) series with a 10-7 final and growing the NAIA's longest active winning streak to 16. Following the victory, the Cavaliers climbed to 16-3 (9-0 AAC) on the year, while the Rams dropped to 5-7 (0-5 AAC).
After trailing 2-0 due to a solo home run in the second and a sacrifice fly in the fourth, the Cavs' bats began to wake up during the top half of the fifth.
Kaden Ethier plated the visitors' initial run with a grounder to second base, while
Justin Austin leveled the matchup at 2-2 via a sac fly to center field. However, Bluefield answered during the ensuing half inning, notching an RBI groundout and an RBI base knock to restore its two-run lead (4-2).
The Cavaliers surged ahead during the sixth frame, beginning with a solo shot off the bat of
Zachary Long.
Jason Brulport then delivered a crucial bases-clearing double that drove in three, followed by a run-scoring extra-base hit from Ethier. The explosive inning gave Montreat its first lead of the afternoon and a 7-4 advantage through six.
BU responded again in the seventh inning, registering a two-out, three-run homer to left that knotted the score at 7-7.
Undeterred,
Matthew Brunner reclaimed Montreat's lead during the top of the eighth. The Brick Township, N.J. native smacked a two-run missile over the left field fence, catapulting the visitors out to a 9-7 edge.
Tommy Ramos secured some insurance in the ninth with his fourth homer of the weekend, this time a solo shot. Meanwhile,
Hunter Rast bagged his second save in as many days and his sixth save of the season, clinching the AAC series sweep and the Cavs' 16th consecutive triumph in the process.
"Today was another day being tested," said Head Coach
Jason Beck. "We continue to battle with different people stepping up each game, and that's what this team is about. We know what we are about and will continue to work to get better."
Ryan Henrickson recorded the start for the Cavaliers, pitching five innings and allowing four runs on five hits while striking out a pair.
Ethan Caldwell came on in relief and pitched two frames, giving up three runs on four hits, with one punchout.
Jordon Hart contributed a scoreless inning, facing three batters and retiring them all efficiently. Rast closed the game, tossing one scoreless frame despite facing six hitters.
Long recorded one of the squad's three home runs on Sunday. Ramos paced the team with three hits, two runs and an RBI on his homer. Brunner scored two runs and collected two RBIs while crushing a long ball as well. Brulport drove in three runs with a double, also scoring once in the contest. Ethier accumulated two knocks and two RBIs to aid the offensive efforts.
Up next, the Montreat College baseball team returns home for a midweek clash against Johnson & Wales University Charlotte. First pitch between the Cavs and the Wildcats is scheduled for Tuesday, March 3 at 1 p.m. in Montreat, N.C.
