From staff reports
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. — Both teams probably felt pretty good after Catawba’s baseball team concluded a three-game series at Carson-Newman’s Silver Diamond on Saturday.
The Eagles (10-11, 3-9) had to be thrilled to win a game against the sixth-ranked Indians.
Catawba didn’t get the sweep it wanted, but it did win the series two games to one and consistently winning road series in the South Atlantic Conference leads to championships, as long as you can get sweeps at home. Catawba (16-4, 10-2) hasn’t lost a home game yet this season.
Catawba didn’t score until the sixth, but won a wild first game on Saturday, 10-8. Mostly, Hunter Atkins won it. He had a homer, a triple and seven RBIs. Brandon Crabtree scored three runs and had two RBIs. Nathan Chrismon (South Rowan) hit a solo homer and scored two.
Calvin Douglas was the winner in relief. Joe Burleyson (East Rowan) notched another heart-pounding save. The Eagles put two men on base in the ninth inning.
First game
Catawba 000 002 134 — 10
Carson-Newman 000 202 310 — 8
W — Douglas (3-0). S — J. Burleyson (6).
HR — Atkins (2), Chrismon (2).
•••
Catawba scored four runs in the sixth inning to take a 4-2 edge in the seven-inning nightcap, but couldn’t hold the lead.
Casey Gouge (West Rowan) started and allowed two runs in four innings. Parker Lakey took his first loss.
Crabtree had two hits and two RBIs. Sam Hunter had two hits.
Catawba 000 004 0 — 4
Carson-Newman 110 004 x — 6
L — Lakey (3-1).
