MONTREAT, N.C. — The Montreat College baseball team capped off its regular season on Saturday, finishing its last Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) series against the Spartanburg Methodist College Pioneers. The Cavaliers came away with a 15-13 victory over SMC when the game was called after just five innings of play due to inclement weather. The Cavs finished their regular season campaign with a 31-19 (14-13 AAC) record, while the Pioneers concluded their year with a 25-22 (16-11 AAC) record.
It was all Montreat to begin the contest. A strong first inning saw the hosts add on multiple runs. Cameron Nagel singled and stole second, setting the stage for Gustavo Gonzalez's two-run homer to left center. Later, Tommy Ramos walked, stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch before scoring on a sacrifice fly by Hunter Furches. The Cavaliers led 3-0 after the first frame.
Spartanburg Methodist leveled the game with a three-run third inning, utilizing a solo shot and a pair of RBI singles. The visitors tacked on another solo homer during the following frame to take a 4-3 lead.
Responding in a big way, the Cavs piled on six runs to establish a confident edge during the bottom of the fourth. Dawson Bryant started the rally with an RBI double, driving in pinch-runner Connor Goff. Matthew Brunner, pinch-hitting for Kaden Ethier, singled to bring in another run. Justin Austin put the exclamation point on the inning with a three-run blast to right field, extending the lead. Lastly, Gonzalez reached on an error, allowing Nagel to score the final run of the frame and balloon Montreat's advantage up to 9-4.
The fifth and final inning of play was when the weather took a turn for the worse, as rain came down at an excessive rate. Some early walks, errors and multiple extra-base hits allowed SMC to regain the lead, 13-9. Despite getting two early outs in the bottom half, the Cavaliers took advantage of the weather conditions and scored six straight runs, capitalizing on eight walks and nine wild pitches. The Cavs took back the lead, 15-13, before the frame ended, which ultimately secured them the win.
Dawson Yokley got the start and pitched 2 1/3 innings, allowing three runs on four hits and four walks, while also striking out four batters. Ja'Lan Chambers followed with two frames of relief, conceding six earned runs on three hits and four walks. The lefty also punched out two batters. Jayden Hughes closed out the game after completing 2/3 of an inning, allowing two hits and three unearned runs while striking out a pair.
Austin made a strong impact by scoring two runs and driving in three more with a home run. Nagel added to the offensive effort with three runs scored and two stolen bases. Gonzalez contributed with a two-run home run, collecting two RBIs in the process. Bryant provided a solid performance with two hits, including a double, driving in two runs.
Looking ahead, Montreat will travel to Hunter Wright Stadium in Kingsport, Tenn. to play in the double elimination bracket of the AAC Tournament. The eighth-seeded Cavaliers will face the fifth-seeded University of Pikeville Bears on Tuesday, April 28 at 3 p.m.
