College baseball: Catawba sweeps, leads by 2 games

Staff report

WINGATE — Catawba’s baseball team swept Wingate over the weekend to take a two-game lead in the South Atlantic Conference race.

The 17th-ranked Indians beat the Bulldogs 4-0 and 7-6 on Saturday and cruised 13-3 on Sunday. Catawba leads Carson-Newman by two games and Lenoir-Rhyne by three.

Both of Saturday’s games at Ron Christopher Stadium were tough.

In the 4-0 game, former West Rowan standout Payne Stolsworth (7-1) pitched another gem, protecting a 1-0 lead until the Indians finally got some insurance in the top of the ninth. Nathan Chrismon (South Rowan) provided most of the offense, with two hits and three RBIs. Matthew Connolly (West Rowan) had two hits.

The 7-6 win in Saturday’s nightcap featured a huge relief effort by Hayden Simmerson (Carson), who earned his ninth save. It was a seven-inning game. After Catawba took a 7-6 lead in the top of the fifth, Simmerson shut down the Bulldogs for three innings, striking out seven.

Seth Sharpe (3-1) got the win. James Dunlap had two RBIs.

Sunday’s game was a walk in the park, as Austin Fine (5-2) won with massive run support. Sam Hunter’s first-inning homer got things started. Dylan Driver (Carson) hit a three-run homer in the second inning.

Connolly had a two-run double and Cole Hales (Carson) had a two-run single as the Indians pulled away. Ty Hubbard (South Rowan) had three RBIs.

Catawba plays at UNC Pembroke on Tuesday.

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