SALISBURY, N.C. – The Catawba College Baseball Team (15-6, 6-3 SAC) won both ends of a South Atlantic Conference doubleheader over Emory & Henry College (3-18, 1-11 SAC) Sunday afternoon to complete the series sweep. The Catawba Indians took game one 10-3, before winning the nightcap by a 16-1 margin.
The Basics
GAME ONE – Catawba 10, Emory & Henry 3
GAME TWO – Catawba 16, Emory & Henry 1 (Seven Innings)
LOCATION – Salisbury, North Carolina
VENUE – Newman Park
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (3-18, 1-11 SAC); Catawba (15-6, 6-3 SAC)
Game One - Catawba 10, Emory & Henry 3
Catawba was first on the scoreboard as they tallied a run in the first, second and fourth innings to establish a 3-0 lead. Both pitchers kept the bats scoreless through the fifth and sixth innings, but the Wasps broke through in the bottom of the seventh. Fifth-year outfielder Tyler Bradley (Bessemer City, N.C.) singled, senior outfielder Triston Hensley (Covington, Va.) walked and junior designated hitter Jacob Bebber (Taylorsville, N.C.) singled to load the bases. Freshman shortstop Anthony Umbach (Harrisburg, N.C.) delivered a two-RBI single to plate a pair and bring E&H within a run at 3-2.
The Catawba Indians answered back in the top of the eighth with a solo home run off the bat of Bo Rusher III to extend their lead back out to 4-2. The home team blew the game open in the top of the ninth with six runs on four hits and a pair of hit batters to give themselves a comfortable eight-run advantage. The Wasps got a run back in the bottom of the ninth on an RBI double by Umbach, but Catawba held on to take the opening game of the doubleheader by a 10-3 final score.
Payne Stolsworth earned the win for Catawba, surrendering just a pair of runs and seven hits with three strikeouts in seven innings on the mound. Senior pitcher Bryson Wagner (Salisbury, N.C.) was handed the loss on the hill for E&H after allowing seven runs on nine hits while striking out three batters over eight innings. Umbach paced the Wasps with a pair of hits and three driven in while Bradley, Foley and Bebber each had two hits.
Game Two - Catawba 16, Emory & Henry 1 (Seven Innings)
Catawba took the early lead for the third time in as many games on the back of a second inning two-run home run from Cole Hales to make it 2-0. E&H responded in the bottom of the inning when fifth-year outfielder Jermie Greene, Jr. (Troutman, N.C.) and Bebber led off with back-to-back singles, moved up on a sacrifice bunt from sophomore catcher Garrison Bullock (Concord, N.C.) and Greene, Jr. scored on an RBI single by junior second baseman Steven Smith (Salisbury, N.C.) to trim the deficit to 2-1.
The home team tallied two more in the top of the third, and put up an eight spot in the top of the fifth to balloon their lead to 12-1. Catawba would go on to add four more over the final two innings to earn the 16-1 win.
Brandon Rodgers was awarded the win for Catawba after throwing three scoreless innings without allowing a hit. Redshirt freshman lefty Drew Lanzo (Indian Trail, N.C.) was saddled with the loss, giving up two runs on a pair of hits while striking out a batter. Smith had the lone RBI for the Wasps and Greene, Jr. led the team with a pair of base hits.
Up Next
Emory & Henry finally kicks off its 2024 home slate on Tuesday, March 12 when they step out of conference play to host the Mountain Lions of Concord University. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. from Porterfield-DeVault Field.
--E&H--