Catawba Sports Information

SALISBURY — Catawba scored 10 runs in the first innings and went on to cruise past visiting Barton, 20-2, in baseball action on Tuesday night at Newman Park.

The 29th-ranked Indians improve to 25-10, while the Bulldogs fall to 22-16.

The Indians pounded out 22 hits in the win, with each starter getting at least one. Jeremy Simpson, a West Rowan product, and Bryce Fowler each had three hits, while Fowler homered and had four RBI.

Chance Bowden, a former Salisbury High School star, started the scoring as he connected on a first-inning grand slam and finished with five RBI. The blast was Bowden’s seventh homer of the season.

Those were the only earned runs of the opening frame with Luke Setzer (East Rowan) adding a two-run double and Zach Almond (North Stanly) ripping a two-run homer, to complete the 10-run frame. For Almond, the homer was his 12th this season.

That would be all the support starter Connor Johnson and the pitching staff would need. Johnson improved to 5-1 on the mound as he tossed five innings and allowed a run off six hits. He walked none and fanned seven batters.

Catawba scored in all but one inning (the seventh). Hunter Shepherd, a freshman from Salisbury, entered the game for Bowden and belted his first collegiate homer.

Andrew Webster, Blake Spangenberg and Carter Brogden each had two hits for Barton. Chase Riker and Richard Trifaro each drove in a run for the Bulldogs.

Catawba hosts USC Aiken in a regional showdown with the 25th-ranked Pacers this afternoon at 2 o’clock.

NOTE: Justin Evans, another former West Rowan player, pitched two innings for Barton, allowing four hits and two runs. He also struck out four of the 10 batters he faced.

Barton                010   000   001 —  2     9    3

Catawba        (10)21    122   02x — 20  22   0

WP — Connor Johnson (5-1).  LP — Andrew Davis (2-4).

HR — Catawba: Bowden (7), Fowler (3), Almond (12), Shepherd (1).

Leading hitters — Catawba: Simpson 3-for-5; Fowler 3-for-6, 4 RBI; Bowden 2-for-4, 5 RBI. Barton: Webster 2-for-4; Spangenberg 2-for-4; Brodgen 2-for-4.