From staff reports Catawba’s baseball team won two games against Lenoir-Rhyne at Newman Park on Saturday.
The Indians (22-13, 11-3) held off the Bears 5-4 in the completion of a suspended game that began Friday and rolled 14-3 in a seven-inning contest.
Zeb Link (West Rowan) hit a three-run homer in the first game, while Brett Hatley (West) had a run-scoring double to back strong pitching from starter Blake Ketner (NW Cabarrus) and closer Nathan Furr.
Catawba trailed 3-0 early in the second game, but Ryan Query (A.L. Brown) had four hits and five RBIs, including a two-run double and a two-run single.
Craige Lyerly (East Rowan) and Josh Hohn had three hits each to back strong pitching from Tim Holmes. Hohn hit his ninth homer.
Catawba banged out 18 hits and put together a six-run third inning.
The Bears (23-16, 9-8) return to Newman Park today at 1 p.m. to finish the series.
n South Carolina’s Whit Merrifield (Davie) had a career day Friday, going 5-for-6 in a 12-10 victory against Ole Miss. Merrifield doubled, tripled and scored three times.
n Lander’s Billy Veal (North Rowan) had a terrific game out of the bullpen Saturday, shutting out UNC Pembroke for 32/3 innings. He struck out two and allowed one hit. Lander was down big when it called on Veal and lost 11-5.
n Cy Young (East) pitched a five-hitter as 14th-ranked Wilkes Community College beat Lenoir CC 13-4 on Saturday. Jacob Dobbins (North) had three hits for the Cougars, who are ranked nationally for the time.
n Wes Hobson, whose father, Gil, was a standout athlete at North Rowan, led Appalachian State to a 6-4 victory against Samford Saturday with a 4-for-4 effort.
n Davidson’s Brett Shore (South Rowan) had two hits in Saturday’s doubleheader split with The Citadel.
n Keegan Linza (North) has fanned 62 batters in 61 innings for Northwest Florida State. Linza is 4-3 with a 3.39 ERA.
n Minor leagues
Garrett Sherrill (A.L. Brown, ASU) was the winning pitcher in relief in his Midwest League debut Saturday.
Sherrill entered the game in the fifth and pitched 21/3 innings as the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers beat Quad Cities 3-2.
Sherrill walked three, struck out two and didn’t allow any hits or runs.
n Spencer Steedley (East Rowan, Charlotte) pitched a scoreless ninth inning to finish off Ft. Myers’ 11-6 victory against Port Charlotte Saturday.
Steedley allowed one hit and struck out two.
n The Kannapolis Intimidators are 3-0 after sweeping a doubleheader Saturday.
Kannapolis (3-0) beat the Asheville Tourists 3-2 and 4-1 with strong pitching.
North Carolina native Dexter Carter made his season debut in the second game and allowed one run on one hit in six innings while striking out six. Dan Remenowsky pitched a 1-2-3 seventh inning to earn a save.
In the second game, Jordan Cheatham’s two-run homer put the Intimidators on top early.
Kenny Williams and Matt Inouye knocked in insurance runs to back the hurling of lefty Charlie Leesman. The southpaw gave up one earned run in six innings and struck out three. Leroy Hunt earned the save.
The Intimidators will send Daniel Hudson to the mound against 2008 first-round draft pick Christian Friedrich Sunday as they bid for a sweep.
n Charlie Shirek sparkled in his Carolina League debut for Winston-Salem. He pitched six scoreless innings in a 6-0 victory against Kinston.
n Catawba lacrosse
Catawba scored the final three goals and claimed a 10-8 win over visiting Florida Southern in Deep South Conference lacrosse Saturday afternoon at Shuford Stadium.
The Indians (3-7, 2-3) got two early goals from Stephen Shuba. Sean Duggan scored the final two goals after the game was tied 8-8.
Marty Tuohy had three goals and two assists to lead Catawba. Braden Artem also scored twice. Colin McClimans made a dozen saves for the Indians.
n West boosters
The West Rowan High School Booster Club will meet on Monday, April 13, at 6:30 p.m. in the media center. This is the regular monthly meeting and is open to everyone.