#7 Catawba starts fast again, takes down #18 FMU in Super Regional opener

Salisbury, N.C. —- The seventh-ranked and second-seeded Catawba College baseball team scored runs in the first inning for the fourth straight time this NCAA Tournament, plating seven runs in the first two innings to defeat 18th-ranked and fifth-seed Francis Marion, 12-7, at Newman Park to move a win away from the Division II National Championships.

TEAM STATISTICS

- Both teams recorded 15 hits

- Francis Marion hit two of three homers; the Catawba Indians recorded six of eight extra-base hits

- Catawba left five runners on base; the Patriots stranded nine runners

- The Catawba Indians recorded both stolen bases in the game

- Catawba's pitchers allowed seven runs on 15 hits, striking out eight; FMU's staff allowed 12 runs on 15 hits and two walks, striking out two

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

- Brandon Crabtree was 3-for-5, a single shy of the cycle, with four RBI and three runs scored

- Logan Dyer added three hits with an RBI, a stolen base and three runs scored

- Jake Dunlap added two hits with a double, driving in three and scoring another

- Hunter Atkins doubled in two hits, driving in two and scoring

- Colt Wilkins earned his 11th win of the year, tossing 6.2 innings with five runs allowed and seven strikeouts

• Seth Sharpe recorded the final three outs in relief

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