Softball sweeps DH at Belmont Abbey

Belmont, N.C. —- The Catawba College softball team swept its doubleheader on the road on Tuesday afternoon, defeating Belmont Abbey College 4-0 and 13-4. The Catawba Indians improve to 5-5 overall, while the Crusaders drop to 0-2 on the young season.

The story in game number one was the pitching, as Alexandra Baquie pitched a complete-game, four-hit shutout, walking just two batters and striking out eight. She earned her second win of the season in the strong effort in the circle.

Catawba produced all of their runs in one inning, as Bri Gallagher ripped a two-RBI single in the fourth inning before Molly Strider doubled the lead with a two-run blast the very next batter.

Game number two featured more offense, as each team scored in each half of the first three innings. The Crusaders led 4-3 after the first three frames before Catawba exploded for their second four-run fourth inning of the day. 

Savanna Balderston recorded and RBI groundout before Christina Brendle drove in another on a single and Kary Hales' two-RBI double put the Catawba Indians up 7-4 through four. Catawba added six more runs the rest of the way including a two-run homer from Courtnee Carter as Catawba scored ten unanswered runs to finish the game and complete the sweep.

Catawba returns to Whitley Field on Saturday, hosting West Virginia Wesleyan for a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m.