MOCKSVILLE, N.C. — The Montreat College baseball team held off Carolina University in a nonconference matchup on Tuesday afternoon, securing an 8-7 victory. The Cavaliers used two home runs and four stolen bases to edge out the Bruins in the tight contest. With the result, the Cavs notched their 30th win of the season, improving to 30-17, while Carolina dropped to 21-23.
Montreat came out aggressively in the opening inning, erupting for four runs to grab early momentum. Justin Austin drew a walk and Cameron Nagel was hit by a pitch, setting the table for Matthew Brunner's bunt single to load the bases. Zachary Long followed with a walk that brought in the first run, while Jason Brulport added a sacrifice fly to plate Nagel. Tommy Ramos then delivered a two-RBI double, driving in Gabriel Ferrell, who entered as a pinch runner for Long, along with Brunner, to extend the lead to 4-0.
The Cavaliers added on in the second as Austin reached again via walk and later scored on Brunner's RBI single, pushing the advantage to 5-0.
Carolina responded in the fourth, putting together a four-run frame to narrow the margin. A sacrifice fly brought in the first run before a two-RBI double down the left field line followed. An RBI single completed the rally, cutting Montreat's lead to 5-4.
The Cavs regained control in the fifth as Brunner and Long launched back-to-back solo shots, stretching the score to 7-4. The Bruins answered with a run in the bottom half, leaving the matchup at 7-5 through five innings.
Carolina tied things up in the sixth with a two-run homer, evening the score at 7-7. In the seventh, Daniel Restrepo singled and advanced to second on a balk before sprinting home via Jack Weisman's RBI base hit. The infielder's knock put the visitors back on top, 8-7.
The Cavaliers' defense remained steady late, working through the eighth and ninth without surrendering the lead. Carolina threatened in the final frame with two runners on, but Nick Kantzavelos closed the door to seal the road win.
Ja'Lan Chambers anchored the pitching effort with three scoreless innings, striking out six and allowing just two base knocks. Jayden Hughes followed with one inning, yielding four runs on five hits while striking out two. Trevor Laughlin worked two frames, allowing one earned run on five hits, while Jordon Hart contributed 1 2/3 innings with three strikeouts and only one hit surrendered. Kantzavelos earned his second save of the year, tossing 1 1/3 shutout innings while giving up one base knock and one walk.
Brunner led the offensive charge with four knocks, including a home run, finishing with two RBIs and two runs scored. Long added a homer and a double for two RBIs and a run. Austin made an impact on the bases with two stolen bags, scoring twice and notching a pair of hits. Restrepo added a couple of knocks while crossing home once. Ramos delivered a double, plating two, and Weisman contributed a hit and an RBI.
The Cavaliers return home on Friday, April 24 to host Spartanburg Methodist College in an Appalachian Athletic Conference doubleheader. First pitch is set for noon at Newell Field in Montreat, N.C.
