March 20, 2007

Boxscore

LAURINBURG, N.C.—Catawba College connected for 26 hits and scored in seven different innings en route to a 21-0 baseball shutout of host St. Andrews Presbyterian College on Tuesday afternoon at Clark Field.

The Indians, who improved to 19-12 on the season, also held the Knights (12-20) to just six hits.

A bases loaded walk in the second inning started the scoring for Catawba before the Indians rattled off seven runs on six hits in the third. Senior Brian Sommer (New Port Richey, Fla.) and junior Chad Baker (Jamestown, N.C.) each ripped a two-run double in the outburst. Sophomore Ryan Query (Kannapolis, N.C.) led off with a triple and then provided an RBI-groundout in his second at bat of the inning.

The Indians added two more runs in the fourth including a two-run home run by senior Zach Evans (Greensboro, N.C.). The deep shot over the centerfield fence was Evans eighth homer of the season.

Catawba added 10 more runs over the final five innings. Baker capped his three hit day with a solo home run in the top of the ninth. Baker’s fourth homer of the season was his fourth RBI of the game.

St. Andrews had a couple of scoring opportunities but stranded nine runners on base throughout the day. Sophomore Ivan Rodriguez (New York, N.Y.) led the Knights with two singles. Junior Sam Williams (Rockingham, N.C.) had the Knights only extra base hit with a double to lead off the second inning.

Junior Bubba Morris (Salisbury, N.C.) provided the most damage driving in six Indians on three hits and three walks. Evans and junior Matt Kepley (Greensboro, N.C.) also had three hits apiece.

Junior starter Matt Seabolt (Asheboro, N.C.) earned the win for Catawba pitching six scoreless innings. Seabolt (2-1) allowed just five hits and two walks. Freshman Brett Hatley (Salisbury, N.C.) had four strikeouts in the next two innings and classmate Cliff Poole (Greensboro, N.C.) completed the shutout with a scoreless ninth.

Senior leftie Ryan Curley (Emmaus, Pa.) was tagged with the loss after allowing five runs (four earned) over two-plus innings while striking out three. Junior Josh Porter (Laurinburg, N.C.) had a game-high five strikeouts.

St. Andrews hosts non-conference Wingate University on Thursday with first pitch slated for 2:00 p.m.