As splits go, this was a good one for Catawba’s baseball team.
Catawba won 5-4 and lost 2-1 at Wingate on Sunday and took the series between SAC contenders two games to one.
Catawba won 10-4 on Friday behind former South Rowan star Blake Houston’s two homers.
Winning another series moved Catawba (20-12, 14-6) past Wingate (22-10, 16-7) into second place in the SAC behind Lincoln Memorial.
The Railsplitters weren’t able to play at all this weekend at Mars Hill because of the weather.
Both games of Sunday’s doubleheader were scheduled seven innings, but the opener went eight. John J. Tuttle (A.L. Brown) was the winning pitcher.
Tuttle (5-2) threw seven innings, struck out eight and walked one. Tuttle was outstanding after allowing a three-run homer in the first inning to Josh Clark and was still the pitcher of record when Will Beeson hit into a fielder’s choice in the eighth to score Ethan Satterfield with the go-ahead run.
Tuttle, a senior, won his 26th career game as an Indian. Ryan McClintock earned his sixth save of the season. Paul Kronenfeld and Keaton Hawks had two hits each. Kronenfeld singled in the tying run in the seventh with two outs and an 0-2 count.
In the second game, Clark drove in both runs for the Bulldogs to back Ben Currie’s three-hitter. Kronenfeld’s homer in the sixth provided the only run for Catawba. Shaefer Shepard (4-1) pitched well again but took the loss.
Catawba hosts Winston-Salem State and former Davie star Jacob Barber on Tuesday at 6. Catawba goes to UNC Pembroke to take on Brett Huffman (West Rowan) and the Braves on Tuesday.
Catawba’s softball team lost twice on Sunday at Tusculum, falling 3-1 and 10-3 to the Pioneers.
Carley Tysinger (14-4) lost the first game despite going the distance in the circle with 10 strikeouts and one walk.
Tysinger allowed six hits and two earned runs.
Holli Chandler had two of Catawba’s five hits.
Tusculum (20-18, 6-4 SAC) pounded out 13 hits in the nightcap.
Kristen Stinnard had three of Catawba’s six hits. Chandler drove in two runs.
Reliever Katie Smith took the loss in the circle.
Catawba (21-10, 6-4) is tied for fourth in the SAC, two games behind league-leading Wingate. Catawba is home for a SAC doubleheader against Queens on Wednesday afternoon.
Salisbury plays at home tonight against North Forsyth at 6 p.m in a non-conference game.
A men’s slow-pitch softball benefit will be held to raise funds for the Hamrick family on April 12 at 3968 Liberty Road in Salisbury.
The cost is $125. Contact Gina at 704-239-6693 or Pastor Johnny at 704-798-5700 for information.
Carson girls basketball is hosting Monday middle school clinics starting tonight. Clinics will run 6-8 p.m. at the Carson gym tonight, April 7, 14 and 28, May 5, 12 and 19 and June 2. Cost is $10 per session or $65 for all eight sessions if payed in advance. The gym opens at 5:30. Contact Brooke Misenheimer at 704-855-5034 or misenhmb@rss.k12.nc.us for information.