Nine-Run Rally Not Enough as Pioneers Fall to Montreat in Weather-Shortened Series Finale

A nine-run top of the fifth inning gave Spartanburg Methodist College a 13-9 lead, but host Montreat responded with six runs in the bottom half to claim a 15-13 victory in the series finale. The game was called after five innings due to weather and playing conditions, as agreed upon by both coaches and umpires.

Spartanburg Methodist College (25-22, 16-11 AAC) rallied from a 9-4 deficit with its nine-run fifth inning. The Pioneers sent 13 batters to the plate, recording four hits while capitalizing on two Montreat errors. Brady Jeffcoat and Thatcher Baughman each delivered two-RBI doubles to key the surge.

SMC took its first lead of the game, 10-9, when a misplayed ball by Montreat allowed two runs to score. Lane Schrader followed with an RBI double to extend the advantage to 11-9, and Baughman added another two-RBI double to push the lead to 13-9.

Montreat (31-19, 14-13 AAC) answered with six runs in the bottom of the fifth, scoring all six with two outs on just one hit. Rainy conditions contributed to six wild pitches by the Pioneers in the inning. Cameron Nighel led the Cavaliers with two hits and three runs scored, while Dawson Bryant added two hits and two RBI.

SMC now turns its attention to the AAC Baseball Tournament after securing the No. 4 seed. The Pioneers will open tournament play against No. 9 seed Columbia International on Tuesday, April 28 at noon at Hunter Wright Stadium in Kingsport, Tennessee.