MONTREAT, N.C.— After nearly two weeks off, the Montreat College baseball team resumed Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) play on Friday afternoon. The Cavaliers took on the Reinhardt University Eagles in a doubleheader, coming up short in both contests. Game one posted a final score of 12-7, while game two saw the Eagles come out on top, 7-4. As a result of the day, the Cavs now hold a 24-11 (9-5 AAC) record, while RU improved to 13-19 (7-7 AAC).
The first matchup of the twin bill saw a plethora of offense from both sides. Reinhardt opened it up in the second inning, utilizing an RBI double, a wild pitch and a solo home run to take an early 3-0 lead.
The top half of the third saw the Eagles extending their advantage with a pair of solo shots. Montreat found its way onto the scoreboard during the ensuing half inning after Justin Austin walked and Zachary Long singled. Tommy Ramos then smoked a backside blast, grabbing three RBIs and cutting the visitors' advantage down to two at 5-3.
RU's offense only continued to add on. A two-RBI single followed by a two-run homer stretched the lead out to 9-3. The Cavaliers managed to plate a run in the home half of the fourth thanks to Matthew Brunner's solo shot to left center, which brought the score to 9-4.
The long ball continued to play a role as the Eagles hit a solo shot in the fifth and a two-run blast in the seventh, furthering their edge to 12-4.
The last few innings saw some late offense from the Cavs. They scored one in the bottom of the seventh when Kaden Ethier singled and later sprinted home on Long's groundout, making the deficit 12-5. In the final frame, Gabriel Ferrell doubled and Jason Brulport smacked a pinch-hit, two-run homer to right field. Despite the late efforts, Montreat fell to Reinhardt via a 12-7 final score.
Bryton Williams started on the bump for the Cavaliers, pitching 3 1/3 innings, allowing seven earned runs on eight hits. He recorded three strikeouts and walked one. Trevor
Laughlin contributed 3 2/3 innings from the bullpen, conceding five earned runs on six hits while striking out one. Jayden Hughes closed with a strong performance, pitching two scoreless frames and surrendering just one hit while punching out a pair.
Ramos delivered a strong swing with a three-run homer. Brunner contributed significantly with two hits, including a home run and one RBI. Brulport impressed off the bench, launching a homer and driving in two runs. Austin reached base consistently, recording one base knock and three walks while scoring one run.
As game two got underway, the Eagles didn't lose stride as they once again commanded an early edge. A solo home run from the opening batter, as well as a sacrifice fly, led Reinhardt to a quick 2-0 advantage. The Cavaliers wasted no time in answering back. Austin launched solo bomb over the right field fence, making it 2-1 after the first.
Reinhardt's offense delivered more action in the third. A single and two errors by the Cavs helped the visitors push two more runs across, furthering their lead to 4-1. The Eagles then increased the gap in the fourth inning by notching another three runs. An RBI single followed by a two-run double put the away side up 7-1. Meanwhile, Cameron Nagel led off the bottom half of the fourth with his first homer of the year, trimming the margin to 7-4 through four.
Montreat made a late surge in the seventh inning. Ramos was hit by a pitch and scored on a two-run homer by Daniel Restrepo, which narrowed the gap to three. Despite singles from Dawson Bryant and Brulport, the contest concluded with the Cavaliers being unable to plate any more runs. As a result, Reinhardt held on for a 7-4 victory.
Ashe Ammerlaan got the starting nod in game two, pitching 3 2/3 innings, allowing four earned runs on four hits with two walks and seven strikeouts. Nick Kantzavelos contributed 1 1/3 innings in relief, surrendering one earned run on one hit, while striking out one and walking one. Ja'Lan Chambers closed with a perfect two frames, striking out four of the six batters he faced.
Six different Cavaliers picked up a base knock in the second matchup between the two sides. Nagel had a strong performance, recording one home run and drawing a walk. Austin matched Nagel's power by also crushing a homer. Restrepo showcased his pop as well by hitting a home run and tallying two RBIs.
In its next game, the Montreat College baseball team finishes its three-game set with Reinhardt University at Newell Field in Montreat, N.C. First pitch of the series finale is scheduled for tomorrow at noon.
