Staff report

CARY — First pitch on Tuesday was moved up to 11 a.m. because of weather concerns.

By 11:05 a.m, the University of Indianapolis was making a pitching change.

Coming off one of its shakiest games of the season on Sunday, Catawba’s baseball team was more than ready to play on Tuesday in a Division II World Series elimination game at the USA Training Complex in Cary.

Levi Perrell hit the first pitch of the game over the left-field fence.

Dylan Driver hit the second pitch of the game over the left-field fence.

Third-seeded Catawba (45-16) led 3-0 quickly, was up 8-2 after three innings and led by 15-2 in the eighth before finally settling for a 15-9 victory. Seventh-seeded Indianapolis launched three-run homers in the eighth and ninth, but it wasn’t enough to get back in the game.

Perrell had three hits and scored three runs. Driver had three hits and scored two runs.

Sam Hunter, who hits behind Perrell and Driver, had three hits and scored five runs. Bo Rusher, Cole Hales and Ty Hubbard drove in two runs each. Drew Robertson was on base four times and set a program record for stolen bases.

Austin Fine (10-3)  benefited from outstanding run support and helped himself defensively by starting two double plays early in the game on come-backers.

Fine pitched eight innings. He allowed six runs, but only two were earned. He struck out seven and didn’t walk a batter.

Trace Aufderhar pitched the ninth.

Catawba will be back at it on Wednesday afternoon. The Indians are scheduled to play Southern New Hampshire at 2:45 p.m. SNHU beat the Indians 7-0 on Sunday.