MONTREAT, N.C.— The Montreat College baseball team took part in a midweek matchup against the Carolina University Bruins on Tuesday afternoon. After being down 6-1 in the fifth, the Cavaliers pulled off a come-from-behind win, finishing the game on top, 8-6. As a result of the contest, the Cavs improved their season record to 25-12. Meanwhile, the Bruins now own a 15-21 record on the year.
Montreat wasted no time in scratching across the initial run of the day for either squad. Justin Austin was hit by a pitch to lead off the first inning and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Dawson Bryant. Austin then moved to third on a wild pitch before scoring via Zachary Long's double, giving the Cavaliers a 1-0 advantage.
It took until the fourth frame before Carolina's offense was able to make some noise. The Bruins tied the game at 1-1 thanks to a one-out RBI double.
The fifth inning was eventful for both teams. The visitors capitalized on miscues and free passes to plate five runs, four of which were unearned. A two-run homer capped off the top of the fifth, putting the away side ahead 6-1 in the process. The Cavs began their climb back into the ballgame by responding with two runs of their own. Cameron Nagel touched home with the help of a wild pitch before Gustavo Gonzalez drove in Long on a ground-rule doble to left. The fifth inning concluded with the Bruins leading 6-3.
The next two frames proved even more successful for Montreat. Gabriel Ferrell singled to start the bottom half of the sixth and scored following a double and an error involving Jack Weisman. Austin grounded out, allowing Weisman to score and reducing Carolina's lead to just one, 6-5. The Cavaliers made their push for the lead in the seventh inning. Daniel Restrepo scored on a sacrifice fly by Ferrell, and Gonzalez sprinted home after Matthew Brunner found himself in a rundown. The double-steal attempt allowed Gonzalez to cross the plate before Brunner was tagged out.
In the eighth inning, the Cavs added some insurance after Hunter Furches singled and was replaced by a pinch runner, Wilmer Bolivar. The St. Thomas University transfer eventually scored on a fielding error, extending the lead to 8-6.
Montreat's defense held firm in the ninth, with Hunter Rast closing out the game, securing the 8-6 victory and his ninth save of the campaign.
"They kept scratching," said Head Coach Jason Beck. "They stayed in the game, trusted each other and got it done in the end."
Dawson Yokley delivered a solid performance in his start, pitching four innings and allowing just one run on two hits while striking out three. Ja'Lan Chambers conceded five runs, one of which was earned, in just 2/3 of an inning. The lefty surrendered two hits, plunked one batter and struck out another. Ethan Caldwell, Nick Kantzavelos and Rast combined for 4 1/3 innings of perfect relief pitching. Caldwell retired all seven batters he faced, with three going down via the K. Kantzavelos and Rast each hurled a 1-2-3 frame and struck out a batter. Caldwell claimed the win, while Rast seized the save.
Long recorded an impressive three hits, including two doubles, and drove in one run while scoring once himself. Furches collected three hits and successfully stole a base. Gonzalez contributed with a double, driving in one run and scoring once.
In its next game, Montreat travels to Milligan, Tenn., to face Milligan University. The Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) doubleheader is set for Friday, April 3, at 1 p.m.
