CLEVELAND, Ga. (Feb. 23, 2021) – The Truett McConnell University baseball team hosted Montreat College on Tuesday evening at the TMU Baseball Complex. Despite a strong three-run start in the first, the Bears fell 7-4 to the Cavaliers, which put TMU at 7-5, 0-0 AAC on the year and Montreat improved to 7-8, 0-0 AAC.
 
PLAY-BY-PLAY
After forcing the Cavs to leave three on base with no runs scored at the top of the first, freshman Mikal Mascarello hit a two-out double to deep left-center to send home Andrew Johnston in the bottom of the first (1-0). Fellow freshman Cason King followed up with a single up the middle to give the Bears an early three-run lead scoring Mason Gaines and Mascarello (3-0). Montreat scored again in the second on a single to left, (3-1) but King's sacrifice fly to left drove home Josh Johnston in the third to further extend TMU's lead (4-1). Montreat, however, got out front for good in the fourth.
 
After an RBI single (4-2), the Cavs hit a three-run home run, which ultimately scored the winning run (4-5). Montreat scored two more in the seventh (4-7) and the Bears were ultimately unable to recover.
 
LEADERS
King went 1-for-2 with three RBIs, including a double, while Devyn Munroe, J. Johnston, Mascarello, Kodi Bishop, Tanner Griffith and Logan Nelson all added one hit apiece. Jonathan Joiner made the start for TMU tallying a total of three strikeouts, while Jacob Adams and Jared Johnson each relieved two innings. Adams and Johnson held the Cavs to just a single hit through the final four innings. Most notable, Johnson struck out five out of his six batters.
 
UP NEXT
The Bears are set to host Milligan University on Thursday, Feb. 25, at 2:00 p.m., and 5:00 p.m., for their Appalachian Athletic Conference opener.