KINGSPORT, Tenn. — The eighth-seeded Montreat College baseball team opened Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Tournament play on Tuesday afternoon, going up against the fifth-seeded University of Pikeville Bears. The Cavaliers came away with a decisive 10-0 run-rule victory over the Bears in eight innings. The win improved the Cavs' record to 32-19 (14-13 AAC) and moved Pikeville to 28-18 (15-12 AAC) on the year.
Montreat started off on the right track following an RBI infield single from
Daniel Restrepo in the opening frame. The Cavaliers added on to their lead across the ensuing three innings. The scoring run featured a sacrifice fly from
Justin Austin and an RBI base hit from
Hunter Furches, and it was capped off by
Zachary Long's two-run blast in the fourth. The offensive surge gave the Cavs a 7-0 edge going into the fifth inning.
The Cavaliers tacked on another run in the sixth inning.
Matthew Brunner scored on Long's sacrifice fly after reaching base on a single and advancing on a throwing error. That tally brought the scoreline to 8-0.
The final insurance the Cavs needed came in the eighth. Following a walk and a single,
Gabriel Ferrell delivered a two-RBI knock that scored Austin and
Cameron Nagel, securing a 10-0 lead and ultimately an eight-inning victory over UPIKE.
Ryan Henrickson delivered a standout performance for Montreat, tossing seven shutout innings and allowing only five hits while striking out six batters.
Ethan Caldwell provided a solid inning of relief, retiring the Bears in order to finish the game.
Brunner recorded four hits and scored four runs, contributing significantly to Montreat's offensive efforts. Long added three hits, including a home run, and drove in three, strengthening the team's lead. Restrepo posted two hits and collected two RBIs, further supporting the lineup.
In its next game, Montreat will be back at Hunter Wright Stadium in Kingsport, Tenn. to take on the second-seeded and No. 4-ranked Johnson University Royals in another AAC Tournament double elimination matchup. First pitch is slated for tomorrow at 6 p.m.
