Catawba College Baseball Sweeps Mars Hill in Tight Games

The Indians rallied late in both games to defeat the Lions in South Atlantic Conference action.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Catawba College's baseball team (11-1, 6-0) won two close games against Mars Hill (3-9, 2-4) in Saturday's South Atlantic Conference doubleheader at Newman Park in Salisbury, North Carolina. In the first game, Catawba scored four runs in the eighth inning to win 5-2 after trailing 2-1. In the second game, Catawba trailed 3-2 before scoring three times in the fifth inning to win 5-3.

Why it matters

The wins keep Catawba College's baseball team undefeated in conference play and maintain their strong start to the season. The close games also demonstrate the competitiveness of the South Atlantic Conference, where no team is an easy out.

The details

In the first game, Catawba's Matthew Connolly hit a two-run double in the eighth inning to put the Indians ahead. Logan Dyer and Brandon Crabtree each had two hits for Catawba. Kemper Nix pitched into the seventh inning, and Zach Gaydos got the win in relief, with Joe Burleyson earning the save. In the second game, Catawba trailed 3-2 before Hunter Atkins hit a two-run homer in the fifth inning to put the Indians ahead. Casey Gouge started for Catawba, and Parker Lakey got the win in relief, with Burleyson earning another save.

  • The doubleheader took place on Saturday, February 22, 2026.
  • The first game was played at Newman Park in Salisbury, North Carolina.

The players

Catawba College

The baseball team of Catawba College, a Division II school located in Salisbury, North Carolina. They are currently 11-1 overall and 6-0 in South Atlantic Conference play.

Mars Hill

The baseball team of Mars Hill University, a Division II school located in Mars Hill, North Carolina. They are currently 3-9 overall and 2-4 in South Atlantic Conference play.

Matthew Connolly

A Catawba College player who hit a key two-run double in the eighth inning of the first game to put the Indians ahead.

Logan Dyer

A Catawba College player who had two hits in the first game.

Brandon Crabtree

A Catawba College player who had two hits in the first game.

Kemper Nix

The Catawba College pitcher who started the first game and pitched into the seventh inning.

Zach Gaydos

The Catawba College pitcher who got the win in relief in the first game.

Joe Burleyson

The Catawba College pitcher who earned the save in both games.

Casey Gouge

The Catawba College pitcher who started the second game and pitched four innings.

Parker Lakey

The Catawba College pitcher who got the win in relief in the second game.

Hunter Atkins

The Catawba College player who hit a two-run homer in the fifth inning of the second game to put the Indians ahead.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

Catawba College's baseball team continues to demonstrate their competitiveness in the South Atlantic Conference, rallying late in both games to sweep a tough Mars Hill squad. The Indians' strong start to the season has them undefeated in conference play, positioning them well for a potential conference championship run.