SALISBURY, NC – Nationally ranked Catawba swept the South Atlantic Conference season series over UVA Wise Friday and Saturday.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Result Game 1: Catawba 10, UVA Wise 3
Result Game 2: Catawba 9, UVA Wise 2
Result Game 3: Catawba 3, UVA Wise 1
Records: UVA Wise (6-17, 3-12 SAC); Catawba (20-4, 13-2 SAC)
Location: Salisbury, NC | Newman Park
GAME ONE
- UVA Wise managed eight hits and three doubles, with
Joshua Morgan contributing a solo home run in the ninth inning.
- Catawba scored two runs in the second inning, highlighted by a single from Jake Dunlap that brought home Matthew Connolly, followed by Ty Hubbard's sacrifice fly that scored Dunlap. The Catawba Indians led 2-0 after two innings.
- In the third inning, Catawba extended its lead. Brandon Crabtree doubled and scored on a fielding error, and Dunlap's double brought home another run, making it 4-0.
-Catawba added another run in the fourth with Logan Dyer scoring on a wild pitch.
- In the fifth, Catawba capitalized on a throwing error to score two more runs. Hubbard's RBI double and Dyer's fielder's choice contributed to a 7-0 advantage after five innings.
- The Cavaliers responded in the sixth inning.
Tanner Jones doubled,
Luke Johnson singled, and
Jake Smith's double brought in Jones.
Joshua Morgan's sacrifice fly scored Johnson, but Catawba matched these runs with M. Connolly's two-run homer, making the score 9-2.
- Catawba's lead grew to 10-2 in the eighth inning after H. Atkins hit a solo home run.
- The Highland Cavaliers added a final run in the ninth inning with
Dane Frellick hitting a solo home run to left center. The game concluded with Catawba securing a 10-3 victory over the Cavs.
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Eli Reece pitched 4 innings, allowing 7 hits and 5 earned runs while issuing 3 walks. He faced 22 batters and induced 9 groundouts, but struggled with control, recording 2 wild pitches.
Gabe Gowder contributed 4 innings in relief, giving up 7 hits and 4 earned runs, including 2 home runs and a triple, while striking out 2 and walking 4. Gowder faced 23 batters, allowing a significant number of fly balls with 7 recorded in the game.
- Johnson recorded two hits, including a double, and scored a run. Smith collected two hits, drove in a run, and added a double. Frellick hit a solo home run and finished with a run scored and one RBI.
Morgan Miller contributed defensively with four assists.
GAME TWO
- UVA Wise managed 12 hits, but Catawba's four doubles and a home run were critical in their win.
- In the third inning, Catawba's Brandon Crabtree homered to right center, initiating a four-run inning. A pair of unearned runs followed a fielding error, and Malachi Cloud's two-RBI single extended the lead as Catawba closed the inning ahead 4–0.
- UVA Wise responded in the fourth inning.
Jaden Ruehling doubled and later scored on
Morgan Miller's RBI single through the left side, cutting into the deficit. However, Catawba added two runs, one on a RBI triple by Sam Hunter and another on a wild pitch, bringing the score to 6–1.
- Catawba increased its lead in the fifth. Nathan Chrismon doubled and scored on a throwing error, while Brandon Crabtree's RBI double contributed to a two-run inning, putting Catawba ahead 8–1.
- UVA Wise added a run in the sixth inning. Ruehling scored on Miller's sacrifice fly, narrowing the margin slightly to 8–2.
- Catawba added a final run in the eighth inning with a RBI double by Nathan Chrismon, resulting in a 9–2 lead and the win.
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Mason McAlarnis pitched 3 innings, facing 21 batters and allowing 7 hits and 3 earned runs, with 2 strikeouts and 2 walks.
Ean Marria contributed 1 1/3 innings, striking out 2 batters while giving up 3 hits and 2 earned runs.
Hunter Garrett delivered a solid 2 2/3 innings, allowing 2 hits and striking out 2 without conceding any runs.
Braden Hamilton closed with 1 inning, yielding 1 hit and 1 earned run, maintaining a WHIP of 1.00.
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Luke Johnson posted three hits in the game, contributing significantly to the offensive effort.
Derrick Hall also added two hits, maintaining an on-base presence. Ruehling scored two runs and collected a double, showcasing his ability to advance on base. Miller drove in two runs and recorded a hit, further bolstering the team's scoring.
GAME THREE
- UVA Wise managed six hits and one run, while Catawba recorded six hits, including a home run and a triple, to secure the win.
- Catawba took an early lead in the second inning when Nathan Chrismon hit a solo home run to left field. Following a walk and a single, the inning ended with a fielder's choice, leaving the score at 1–0 in favor of the Catawba Indians.
- In the fourth inning,
Jake Smith of the Cavaliers singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch.
Dane Frellick then delivered an RBI single to left center, allowing Smith to score and tying the game at 1–1. However, the Catawba Indians responded in their half of the inning with a double from Cameron Burleyson followed by an RBI double from Logan Dyer, regaining the lead at 2–1.
- Catawba added another run in the fifth inning. After two walks, Cameron Burleyson singled through the left side, driving in Jake Dunlap and extending the lead to 3–1.
- The Highland Cavaliers were unable to score in the final innings, and Catawba maintained its lead. The game concluded with a final score of 3–1 in favor of the Catawba Indians.
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Bo Trantham pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowing six hits and three earned runs while striking out two batters. He struggled with control, issuing seven walks and throwing 56 strikes out of 109 pitches.
Sawyer Patrick provided relief, pitching 1 1/3 innings without allowing a hit or a walk, recording all outs on ground balls, and maintaining a perfect WHIP of 0.00. Both pitchers contributed to managing the game, with Patrick delivering a clean performance in his short stint.
- Smith led the offense by recording two hits, including a double, while also drawing a walk and scoring a run. Frellick contributed with a hit and an RBI, adding a walk to his performance.
Tanner Jones reached base twice with a hit and a walk. On the mound, Trantham pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowing three earned runs and striking out two batters, while issuing seven walks.
UP NEXT
The Cavs will make the short trip to just East of Knoxville Tuesday when they face Johnson University in a non-conference game. The Royals, who are coached by former Tennessee Coach Dave Serrano, are currently 21-4 overall and ranked fifth in the NAIA.
