College baseball: Third-ranked Catawba holds on to win home opener

Staff report

SALISBURY — Catawba’s season-opening trip to Florida as the nation’s third-ranked baseball team provided four competitive contests at four different schools.

Three games could have gone either way. Catawba lost two of them on walk-off hits.

The fourth was a 3-0 Catawba victory in which starting pitcher Payne Stolswoth (West Rowan) dominated, striking out 11 in seven innings. There was never much doubt about that one. Stolsworth was recognized as the South Atlantic Conference Pitcher of the Week and Southeast Region Pitcher of the Week. He’s already very familiar with both of those accolades.

Catawba played its home opener at Newman Park against Shippensburg on Friday afternoon and held on for a 6-4 victory that was the 993rd for head coach Jim Gantt.

Starting pitcher Austin Fine (1-0) allowed a solo homer early but was in command for eight innings and exited with a 6-1 lead.

Things got too exciting in the ninth when Shippensburg (0-1) scored three runs. Freshman Joe Burleyson (East Rowan) relieved and got the final out for his first college save. He took the mound with the bases loaded and walked in a run before fielding a grounder back to the mound for that elusive 27th out.

Catawba was out-hit 11-6 but managed to get the win. Cooper Bryson drove in two runs.

Catawba returned from Florida with batting averages that weren’t thrilling, but it’s early.

Standouts returning from last season include Bryson, second baseman Ty Hubbard (South Rowan), third baseman/pitcher Cole Hales (Carson), right fielder Dylan Driver (Carson), center fielder Sam Hunter, reliever Brandon Rodgers and starting pitchers Fine, Stolsworth, Hayden Simmerson (Carson) and Casey Gouge (West Rowan). Simmerson has a lively arm and could see bullpen duty in closing situations.

Cameron Burleyson (Carson) returns in the role of No. 2 catcher, so he’ll play quite a bit, especially in the doubleheaders.

Impact newcomers include shortstop Nathan Chrismon (South Rowan), a transfer from East Carolina. He was the 2022 Rowan County Player of the Year when South Rowan won the 3A state championship. Catcher Matthew Connolly (West Rowan) was a holy terror at Surry Community College in 2024 and won Region Player of the Year honors. Chrismon will steal a lot of bases. Connolly will thump a lot of doubles.

James Dunlap is a graduate student corner infielder who transferred from North Dakota State. Left fielder Parker Styborski came to Catawba from Lenoir-Rhyne. Former Randleman star Hunter Atkins transferred to the Indians from UNC Greensboro and has gotten starts at third base and left field. Sean Shelly, a transfer from Barry University, launched a grand slam in Florida. He’s a first baseman who is also capable of playing the outfield.

In addition to the players expected to be regulars, Catawba has a host of local products on the roster. Joe Burleyson, Cameron Burleyson’s cousin, has already relieved successfully twice. Pitcher Jake Blevins (West Rowan) transferred from Pfeiffer. Pitcher Ryan Street (Carson) is healthy after successful Tommy John surgery. Freshman Logan Dyer (East Rowan) is a talented infielder/pitcher. Dyer and Joe Burleyson played for East Rowan’s 2024 3A state champs.

Sam Alessi, Carson Edmiston, Trace Aufderhar, Braeden Major, Seth Sharpe, Calvin Douglas and Zach Hannah make up the rest of the mound staff. Alessi, a freshman from Hickory Ridge High in Harrisburg, performed well in Florida.

Blake Marsh, freshman James Dunlap (Catawba has two James Dunlaps), Chase Wigginton, Kylan Odean, Colby Taylor, Caleb Cross, Jack Cuba and Caleb Grant will compete for at-bats.

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