Box Score

WISE, Va. - The home opener for the UVa-Wise Cavaliers was spoiled by Montreat College. UVa-Wise was unable to overcome a big fifth inning by Montreat to lose their first game at Stallard Field 7-3

After starter Justin Wilson threw four scoreless innings, Montreat (9-11) got things rolling in the top of the fifth inning off freshman Mat Irish. The Cavaliers of Montreat started the frame with Camden Cox being hit by a pitch. A hit by Lance Gower put runners on the corners, and then a wild pitch by Irish moved Gower to second. A misplayed ball at third base by UVa-Wise allowed both runners to score and the batter Alan-Michael Sprinkle to advance to second putting Montreat up 2-0. Then a single by Brandon Harris moved Sprinkle to second. Sprinkle would eventually score from third putting Montreat up 3-0. From there, Kendall Hooks would single making the score 5-0 in favor of Montreat College.

The Cavaliers of UVa-Wise would answer in the bottom of the half inning. With the bases loaded Tyler Lighton hit a sacrifice fly that scored Ryan Apodaca who pinch ran for Bryan Andrews who was hit by a pitch earlier in the inning. But that was all UVa-Wise would get in that frame as the club still trailed by four, 5-1.

The home team would strike again in the bottom of the seventh inning pulling within two. Tommy Meier delivered a two-out, two RBI single to center field with the bases loaded.

Montreat answered in the top half of the eighth with two runs of its own extending the lead to 7-3. That would be all the scoring in the game for both teams as UVa-Wise left two on base in the bottom of the ninth to end the game.

Tucker Beane would record the win and improve to 1-1 on the season going five innings only allowing one run on one hit. Mat Irish would get pinned with the loss making him 2-2 on the season as he allowed five runs, two earned, on three hits in an inning of work. Montreat's Kevin Hughes gets his first save of the season.

Catch UVa-Wise back in action at 7pm on March 20th at Stallard Field as they take on Lincoln Memorial University.