KINGSPORT, Tenn. — The eighth-seeded Montreat College baseball team notched its third win in four days on Friday afternoon, claiming a 6-4 result over second-seeded and No. 6-ranked Johnson University to stay alive in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Tournament. The Cavaliers produced 13 hits, including two doubles, to outlast the Royals. With the outcome, Montreat moved to 34-20 with a 14-13 mark in AAC play, while Johnson dropped to 37-12 (20-6 AAC).
After the designated home team got on the board in the second inning, both squads' offenses surged in the third frame.
Kaden Ethier ignited the Cavs' rally with a double before
Dawson Bryant reached on a fielder's choice.
Justin Austin and
Cameron Nagel followed with consecutive singles to fill the bases, setting up
Matthew Brunner, who was hit by a pitch, to bring home the opening run.
Daniel Restrepo added a single to center, driving in two more. Johnson responded with a pair of runs during the bottom half of the inning, evening the score at 3-3 through three.
Montreat regained control in the fifth as Nagel drew a walk and later scored on Restrepo's base hit. Brunner also crossed the plate on a single from
Hunter Furches, extending the visiting side's edge to 5-3.
In the seventh, Nagel singled and stole second before sprinting home on a base knock from
Zachary Long, pushing the advantage up to 6-3.
Johnson threatened in the ninth with a solo home run, but
Ethan Caldwell shut the door to secure the 6-4 triumph.
The team's 34
th win in 2026 marks the program's most in a single season under Head Coach
Jason Beck.
Jordon Hart earned the start for Montreat, working three innings while allowing three runs, two earned, on three hits. He issued four walks and recorded two strikeouts. Caldwell entered in relief and delivered a stellar outing, tossing six frames while surrendering one just run on two knocks. He punched out three and earned the win to improve to 5-2 on the season.
Nagel led the offensive attack with three runs on three knocks, and he added a stolen base. Brunner also contributed three hits, including a double, while driving in and scoring a run. Restrepo delivered in key moments with three RBIs. Ethier added two knocks and drew a walk. Furches and Long each recorded a base hit and an RBI, while Austin added a single to round out the production.
"We just have to keep the same formula," Beck noted. "Yesterday, we came off of it because of Tennessee Wesleyan's pitcher, but today, we just put our mind to it and went back to the recipe that made us successful those first couple of games."
Montreat looks to extend its postseason run this evening against third-seeded and No. 16-ranked Tennessee Wesleyan University at Hunter Wright Stadium in Kingsport, Tenn. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.
