BOX SCORE

Wingate, N.C.----Catawba College used a 12-run second inning on its way to a 20-7 victory over host Wingate University in non-conference baseball action on Tuesday night at Ron Christopher Stadium and Plyler Athletic Field. The Catawba Indians delivered their highest run-scoring output of the season in improving to 29-8 overall. The Bulldogs are 24-18 overall.

Wingate junior outfielder Dodson McPherson (Graham, N.C.) gave the hosts an early lead, belting a two-run homer in the bottom of the first inning. McPherson’s ninth home run of the season scored junior shortstop Chris Vazquez (Tyrone, Ga.), who had reached on a double. McPherson leads the nation with his 53 RBI.

The Indians erupted for the 12 runs to take command in the second. The first nine Catawba batters reached base to give the Tribe a 7-0 lead before an out was recorded. John Neese (Summerfield, N.C.) led off with a single and scored on a wild pitch after the next two batters were walked. Brett Underwood (Greensboro, N.C.) also raced home to on a wild pitch to tie the score.

Catawba’s bats perked up, as Josh Hohn (Greensboro, N.C.) singled home two and Chris Dula (Troutman, N.C.) followed with an RBI single. Consecutive Wingate errors led to another run before Ryan Bostian (Kannapolis, N.C.) and Hohn capped the frame with RBI doubles.

Joe Kase (Palm Harbor, Fla.) got the start for the Indians, seeing his first action since a March 9 start at USC Aiken. The junior surrendered the two-run homer to McPherson in the first inning, but cruised thanks to Catawba’s offensive outburst. Kase (1-1 overall) went six innings, allowing three runs and seven hits with three strikeouts.

Catawba finished with 19 hits and drew 10 walks. Blake Houston (Mt. Ulla, N.C.) was among a trio of Indians to collect three hits. He went three-for-four with three RBI and three runs scored. Neese enjoyed a three-for-five night and scored three runs. Dula also went three-for-four.

For Wingate, Vazquez was three-for-three with a double and one run scored. The All-SAC shortstop is listed on the 2011 Tino Martinez Award Watch List. Bulldog redshirt sophomore first baseman Brian Yeung (Raleigh, N.C.) was one of three Wingate players with two hits. Yeung with two-for-five with his NCAA Division II-leading 20th double. Freshman infielder Matthew Barrier (Mt. Pleasant, N.C.) hit his first career home run in the Bulldog ninth inning.

Earlier in the day, Catawba jumped to number nine in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association top 30 poll. The Indians will face Carson-Newman College Friday night at 6 p.m. The South Atlantic Conference contest will be played at Smokies Park in Kodiak, Tenn. Wingate hosts Erskine College Wednesday night at 6 p.m. Bulldog fans, please note the new starting time for the Wingate-Erskine contest.

(Special thanks to Catawba College SID Jim Lewis for providing information for this story.)