Staff report
SALISBURY — Catawba College’s baseball team (11-1, 6-0) won two tough games with Mars Hill in Saturday’s South Atlantic Conference action at Newman Park.
Catawba scored four runs in the eighth to win 5-2 in the opener. Matthew Connolly (West Rowan) had the key hit with a two-run double in the eighth to put Catawba ahead.
Logan Dyer (East Rowan) and Brandon Crabtree had two hits each.
Kemper Nix pitched into the seventh inning. Zach Gaydos was credited with the win. Joe Burleyson (East Rowan) pitched the ninth for his second save.
Mars Hill 000 000 200 — 2
Catawba 000 010 04x — 5
W — Gaydos (1-1). S — Burleyson (2).
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In the seven-inning nightcap, Catawba trailed 3-2 before scoring three times in the fifth to overtake the Lions (3-9, 2-4).
Casey Gouge (West Rowan) pitched four innings. Parker Lakey won in relief. Burleyson logged another save.
Hunter Atkins slammed a two-run homer in the fifth to put the Indians on top.
Mars Hill 010 200 0 — 3
Catawba 101 030 x — 5
W — Lakey (2-0). S — Burleyson (3).
HR — Atkins (1).
