Catawba Mounts Comeback Against Florida Tech

Catawba Mounts Comeback Against Florida Tech
May 15, 2008

TAMPA, Fla. - The #3 seed Catawba Indians mounted a three-run eighth inning to defeat the Florida Tech Panthers 5-4 in the third game on the NCAA II Baseball South Regional despite six and two thirds innings of solid work from the Sunshine State Conference Freshman of the Year Matt Schurig.

The Indians struck first against Schurig and the Panthers, getting on the board in the bottom of the third inning. After walks to Bubba Morris and David Thomas, second baseman Chad Baker singled to left field, scoring Morris and giving Catawba a 1-0 lead.

The lead was short-lived, however, as the Panthers responded in the top of the fourth with one run on back-to-back singles followed by a sacrifice fly from shortstop JD Davidson.

After Catawba third baseman Craige Lyerly led off the fourth inning with a homerun to centerfield to regain the lead, Florida Tech added a run in the top of the fifth to knot the game at 2 all, and taking the lead in the top of the sixth. Brendan Twomey scored Ray Valdes from second with single up the middle to give the Panthers their first lead of the game. Florida Tech added another run on a throwing error by Lyerly to put them up 4-2.

Schurig exited in the seventh inning with two on, two outs and Catawba threatening. Jerry Sands worked a walk from right-hander Eric Bua (0-1), creating a bases loaded opportunity for the Indians, but catcher Ryan Query flew out to center to end the inning.

Bua would hang on to get two outs in the eighth before surrendering a run on an RBI groundout to the second baseman and allowing two more Indians to reach base. With Morris on second and Matt Kepley on first, Panther closer Brett Backman gave up a bases-clearing double to right center, giving the Indians a 5-4 lead which they would hang onto in the ninth.

Designated hitter Brett Hatley (5-1) came in to pitch in the eighth inning for Catawba and shut them down for two innings to earn the win.


Florida Tech will face the #1 seed Tampa Spartans at 3 p.m. and Catawba faces Tusculum at 7 p.m.