Zack Ciboth, Sports Editor
The #21 ranked UNC Pembroke baseball team pulled off a dramatic victory in a huge regional matchup with the Catawba College Indians. The Braves took an early lead before finding themselves down late. They battled back and ended up with the walk-off victory over the Indians 10-9.
With the win the Braves improved to 22-9 on the season and have improved to 14-0 when they score 10+ runs in games this season. For the Indians they fall to 22-9 on the year.
An RBI groundout, a double, single and triple all from multiple Catawba players put the Indians in front 8-6 heading into the bottom of the eighth innings. After the Indians scored five unanswered runs the Braves needed an answer of their own.
A passed ball in the eighth and a sacrifice fly to left in the ninth tied the game back up for the Braves at 8-8 as we needed extra innings to decide a winner. A homerun by Logan Rodgers helped give Catawba a 9-8 lead. An RBI single by Michael Dolberry II tied it right up at 9-9. Blake Hinson hit an RBI single in the bottom of the 11th that would seal the deal and deliver the win for the Braves.
Joey Rezek got the Braves rolling in the first with a two-run home run over the wall to give them a 2-0 lead. Andrew Jenner had an RBI single to make it 3-0 and a fielder’s choice play scored another run for the Braves to put them up 4-0.
The Braves continued to add to their lead in the bottom of the second on a single home run by Ashton Donathan sent one over the left -field wall to put UNCP ahead 5-0. After three scoreless innings the Indians finally got on the board with a sacrifice fly from Cole Hales to make it 5-1.
In the bottom of the sixth Chase Hudson managed to bring home a runner with an RBI single. Down 6-1 heading into the late innings the Indians needed an answer to stay in this game and they got one. A two-run homer by Jackson Finger got things rolling making a 6-3.
Will Harris got the start on the mound for the Braves going six and 1/3 innings pitched giving up six hits and three runs while striking out seven and walking one. Jake Inman came into close for the Braves and picked up the win giving up three hits and one run while striking out one in four innings of work.
Mason Gwyn got the start for the Indians going four innings giving up eight hits and five runs while striking out two and walking one. Hayden Simmerson took the loss for the Indians going three and 2/3 innings pitched giving up three hits and four runs while striking out five and walking four.
The Braves will hit the road and travel to Erskine for a three-game series starting Friday at 2 p.m. and concluding with a double header starting at 11 a.m. Saturday.