Staff report

BELMONT — Belmont Abbey scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to hand Catawba its fifth straight loss, 6-5, here Tuesday in college baseball action.

The Indians, coming off a tough, four-game road trip in Florida to open the season, took a 5-3 lead into the ninth inning. Cody Fitch attempted to close but yielded a walk and three hits. An infield error during the inning also hurt Fitch and the Indians.

Nick Beinlich’s double tied the game and then Colin Rosenbaum’s walk-off single up the middle won the game for the Crusaders (3-1).

The loss overshadowed an excellent performance by Catawba starting pitcher Riley Myers (Salisbury). Myers, coming off an injury red-shirt year, allowed one hit and two runs over five innings. He struck out six batters and walked three.

Catawba trailed, 2-1, before its own three-run rally in the fifth inning. Cameron Morrison doubled in Kyle Smith to tie the game, followed by a single from Luke Setzer, scoring Morrison. Later in the inning, a sac fly from Chance Bowden plated Mike Manoogian for a 4-2 lead.

The Indians added another run in the seventh frame, Manoogian scoring again, this time on a ground out from Bowden.

The Crusaders added a key run in the eighth inning — on Luke Cureton’s sac fly — setting up the ninth inning rally.

Catawba returns to action on Friday, its home opener, against Palm Beach Atlantic, a doubleheader beginning at 3:30 p.m. The teams will conclude the three-game series with a game at 1 p.m. on Saturday.

Catawba                001   030   100 — 5    9    2

Belmont Abbey   000   200   013 — 6    8    1

WP — Brady Hill (1-0). LP — Cody Fitch (0-1).

Leading hitters — Catawba: Kyle Smith 2-for-4; Cameron Morrison 2-for-4, 2 doubles; Luke Setzer 1-for-1, (3 walks), 2 RBI; Chance Bowden 2 RBI; Belmont Abbey: Colin Rosenbaum 2-for-4, RBI; Josh Genthe 1-for-4, 2 RBI; Nick Beinlich 1-for-5, 2 RBI.