Catawba Powers Past Tusculum with Offensive Outburst, 15-4

SALISBURY, N.C. — After falling behind early, Catawba stormed back in dominant fashion Friday night, using a relentless offensive performance to take down Tusculum 15-4 in a series-opening win at Newman Park. The game was called in the seventh inning due to the mercy rule, marking another statement victory for the Indians as they inch closer to their 16th consecutive South Atlantic Conference series win.

Tusculum struck first, plating three runs in the opening frame. Omar Carreras delivered an RBI single, followed by a run-scoring groundout and a two-out RBI knock from Max Schmarder to give the Pioneers a quick 3-0 lead.

But Catawba didn’t flinch.

Ethan Hubbard led off the second with a single, setting the stage for Will Styborski, who sent a two-run homer the other way to cut the deficit to one. The long ball barrage continued in the third when Cam Dunlap launched a game-tying solo shot to open the inning.

Moments later, Gunner Hunter singled and trotted home on Cameron Hales’ no-doubt blast to left field, giving Catawba a 5-3 lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Hunter Atkins followed with an infield single, and Hubbard capped the inning with a two-run homer to straightaway center, chasing Tusculum’s starter and stretching the lead to 7-3.

Hunter continued to wreak havoc in the fourth, reaching on a bunt single before swiping both second and third. Atkins came through with a clutch two-out RBI single to make it 8-3.

The Indians kept pouring it on in the fifth. Brendan Connolly opened the frame with his fourth home run of the season, and Devyn Driver’s double off the wall plated another. Hales added an RBI single, and a Tusculum error on a pickoff attempt brought in a 12th Catawba run.

The Pioneers managed to scratch across a run in the seventh via Caleb Webster’s RBI single, their first since the opening inning. But Catawba sealed the game shortly after. Following a walk to Driver and a hit-by-pitch to Dunlap, Hunter stepped in and crushed a three-run homer, securing the 15-4 walk-off via run rule.

Catawba improves its SAC mark and looks to clinch yet another series victory when the two teams return to the diamond Saturday for a doubleheader. First pitch for Game 1 is set for 1 p.m.