MILLIGAN, Tenn.— The Montreat College baseball team was on the road on Friday afternoon, taking on the Milligan University Buffaloes, a program receiving votes in the NAIA Baseball Coaches' Top 25 Poll. The Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) set saw the Cavaliers drop both games of the doubleheader, coming up short in game one by a final score of 11-9, while dropping an 11-2 decision in game two. As a result of the twin bill, the Cavs moved to 25-14 (9-8 AAC) on the campaign, while Milligan now boasts a 30-7 (16-4 AAC) record.
Cameron Nagel wasted no time jump-starting the action for game one, hacking at the contest's first pitch and coming through with a double to left center. Nagel advanced to third on a bunt single by Hunter Furches, and then Zachary Long brought him home with a sacrifice fly to right field, giving the Cavaliers a 1-0 lead.
In the third inning, Kaden Ethier reached first on an error and advanced to second on a bunt single by Nagel. After another miscue from the Buffs, Ethier moved to third and scored on Long's second sac fly of the game, extending the lead to 2-0.
Milligan disrupted the shutout in the sixth frame. A leadoff double followed by a base hit set the hosts up for a two-RBI single to even the score to 2-2.
Montreat was able to reclaim the lead in the top half of the seventh. Despite two quick outs the Cavs were able to load the bases, and Ethier capitalized on the moment, doubling to left field. The extra-base knock drove in Matthew Brunner and Gustavo Gonzalez. Furches added an RBI with an infield single, and an error on the same play sent another runner home, staking the visitors out to a 6-2 lead. The Buffaloes didn't let the deficit last, however, as they countered the Cavaliers' big inning with a nine-run rally, taking advantage of errors and timely hitting to seize an 11-6 lead through seven.
Determined to close the gap, the Cavs tacked on three more runs in their half of the eighth. Daniel Restrepo, who reached on a walk, scored on a throwing error after an attempt from the catcher to back-pick him. Parker Giglio came up big in a pinch-hit appearance, singling to right field and bringing in two more runs. The swing narrowed Milligan's lead to 11-9 prior to the final frame.
The ninth inning saw no further scoring, with MU maintaining its 11-9 advantage to secure the victory over Montreat.
Bryton Williams delivered a solid start for the Cavaliers, striking out five batters across five innings of work. The Hudson, Fla. native ultimately allowed two runs on five hits and one walk. Nick Kantzavelos came first in relief, giving up four runs, two of which were earned, on five hits in one-plus inning of work. Ethan Caldwell surrendered four runs, one earned, on two hits without recording an out. Trevor Laughlin allowed one unearned run on two hits over an inning of action. Jayden Hughes concluded the pitching efforts with a strong showing, striking out three of the four batters he faced in a scoreless eighth inning.
Nagel recorded two hits, including a double, and scored a run while walking once. Furches contributed with two hits and an RBI, and he also stole a base. Ethier drove in two runs with a double and scored twice. Long added two RBIs, each via a sacrifice fly. Giglio notched two RBIs with a single in his pinch-hit at-bat.
Game two of the slate saw some first-inning offense as well, but this time on the Milligan side. A leadoff double led to an RBI groundout, putting the hosts ahead 1-0 to start the contest.
The next three innings of play saw no change of score; both teams were held in check by the opposition's pitching and defensive efforts. It wasn't until the fifth that MU added to its advantage, capitalizing on a leadoff triple that later scored via a fielder's choice, inching the Buffs' lead up to 2-0.
Montreat's offense made things interesting in the top of the sixth. Brunner started the frame by singling to left field, and he advanced to third courtesy of an error and a wild pitch. The Brick Township, N.J. native then scored thanks to an Ethier sacrifice fly. Gabriel Ferrell walked, advanced on another wild pitch and scored on a fielder's choice, tying the ballgame at 2-2. However, Milligan exploded for nine runs, including four unearned, during the ensuing half inning. The offensive eruption was highlighted by a pair of homers that aided the hosts in securing an 11-2 lead. Jason Brulport tallied a pinch-hit double in the top of the seventh, but the damage was done as the Buffaloes ultimately wrapped up an 11-2 triumph.
Ryan Henrickson got the start on the bump, pitching 3 2/3 innings, allowing four hits and one run. He also struck out one and walked three. Jordon Hart followed with 1 1/3 innings, conceding two runs on two hits with one punchout. Hunter Rast gave up eight hits and eight runs, four of which were earned, in his one inning of work. Rast registered one K during the effort.
Brunner led the Cavs offensively, recording two hits and scoring one run. Brulport made a contribution with a pinch-hit double, marking his only at-bat. Tommy Ramos collected one hit while playing at third base.
Looking ahead, Montreat concludes its AAC series with Milligan University tomorrow at noon in Milligan, Tenn.
