SALISBURY, NC – Another year, another UVA Wise / Catawba split in the South Atlantic Conference Series between the two schools. This year, the Catawba Indians claimed game one by a 3-2 margin before the Highland Cavs rallied back in game two to claim the 9-7 win in nine innings.
Since the two schools first met in 2021 after UVA Wise joined the SAC the two programs have split their meetings every season, with the series knotted at 6-6 after today's games.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Result Game One – Catawba 3, UVA Wise 2
Result Game Two – UVA Wise 9, Catawba 7 – 9 innings
Records: UVA Wise (25-19, 7-13 SAC); Catawba (23-22, 9-11 SAC)
Location: Salisbury, NC | Whitley Field
GAME ONE – Catawba 3, UVA Wise 2
- Catawba took an early lead in the first inning. Grace Flynn singled up the middle and later scored on a throwing error, giving the Catawba Indians a 1–0 advantage.
- In the second inning, the Cavaliers responded.
Taylor Clay was hit by a pitch and later scored when
Mataya Ausmus singled down the left field line, tying the game at 1–1.
- Catawba pulled ahead in the third inning. Flynn doubled and scored on a wild pitch, while Alexis Monroe, who had reached on a hit-by-pitch, also scored following a wild pitch, extending the Catawba Indians' lead to 3–1.
- The Cavs narrowed the gap in the fifth inning when Ausmus homered to left center, bringing the score to 3–2.
- Despite opportunities, neither team scored in the final two innings. The game concluded with the Catawba Indians maintaining their lead. Final score: Catawba 3, Cavaliers 2.
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Olivia Shockley pitched a complete game for UVA Wise, delivering 6 innings with 7 strikeouts and allowing 2 earned runs. She faced 7 hits and issued 2 walks while throwing 97 pitches, 64 of which were strikes. Despite her efforts, Shockley took the loss, bringing her record to 8–7 for the season.
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Mataya Ausmus led the team offensively by recording two RBIs and hitting a home run.
Taylor Clay contributed by reaching base after being hit by a pitch and scoring a run.
Kennedy Miller added to the offense with one hit.
GAME TWO – UVA Wise 9, Catawba 7 – 9 innings
- UVA Wise secured the 9-7 victory over Catawba in a closely contested matchup at Whitley Field. A critical three-run ninth inning for the Cavaliers broke a 6-6 tie, proving decisive in the win.
- The third inning saw the Cavs take a 3-1 lead.
Lindsey Polan delivered a three-run homer to left center, bringing home
Taylor Clay and
Kaylynn Baker after Clay reached on a fielder's choice and Baker singled. Catawba responded with a run when Grace Flynn scored on a wild pitch. The score was 3-1 after three innings.
- In the seventh, UVA Wise added three more runs.
Mataya Ausmus doubled, allowing
Kylee Holt to advance to third.
Adyson Gibson then reached on a fielding error, bringing in both Holt and Ausmus.
Kennedy Miller singled to left center, scoring Gibson for an unearned run, extending the lead to 6-2. The Catawba Indians rallied with four runs in their half, tying the game at 6-6. Alexis Monroe's two-RBI single and further hits leveled the score.
- The game remained tied through the eighth inning, with neither team scoring. In the ninth, the Highland Cavaliers reclaimed the lead.
Taylor Clay's double down the left-field line drove in two runs, with Gibson and Holt crossing the plate.
Kaylynn Baker followed with a single up the middle, scoring Clay. Catawba managed one run in the bottom of the ninth, but the Cavs secured the 9-7 win.
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Bayleigh Allison delivered a complete game performance, pitching 9 innings for UVA Wise. She allowed 12 hits and 7 runs, 6 of which were earned, while striking out 1 batter and not issuing any walks. Allison threw 96 pitches, with 71 of them being strikes, and recorded 1 wild pitch. This outing contributed to her season record, improving to 7-2.
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Taylor Clay contributed significantly with two hits, including a double, and drove in two runs, crossing the plate twice.
Lindsey Polan recorded a home run and three RBIs, adding a hit and a walk to her performance.
Kennedy Miller collected four hits and one RBI, showcasing consistent contact at the plate.
Adyson Gibson scored twice, adding a hit and an RBI while also drawing a walk and stealing a base.
UP NEXT
The Cavs will close out the regular season next Saturday when they host Mars Hill in a SAC doubleheader on Gatton Field. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m.
