REGIONAL CHAMPS! Catawba Moves on to College World Series with 6-3 Win over Francis Marion

ROCK HILL, S.C. (TheSAC.com) – Catawba College punched its ticket to the NCAA Division II College World Series on Saturday afternoon, defeating Francis Marion University 6-3 in the winner-take-all Game 3 of the Southeast Regional Championship at Newman Park.

The Indians used a five-run first inning and strong pitching performances from Kemper Nix and Joe Burleyson to secure the program's spot in the national finals.

Catawba wasted no time taking control of the decisive game. Logan Dyer led off the bottom of the first with a single before Brandon Crabtree walked and Sam Hunter was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Jake Dunlap delivered a two-run single to center field and Nathan Chrismon followed with a three-run homer to left field, giving the Indians a quick 5-0 advantage.

Francis Marion answered with a run in the third inning when Jimmy Koza stole home, cutting the deficit to 5-1.

Nix kept the Patriots in check throughout his outing, striking out seven over five innings while allowing just one run on four hits to improve to 4-0 on the season.

The Patriots made things interesting in the seventh inning, scoring twice to trim the lead to 5-3. Joe Burleyson entered in relief and helped strand the tying run, getting Charlie Bussey III to ground out before ending the threat.

Catawba answered immediately in the bottom half of the inning. Malachi Cloud doubled to right field and later scored on an RBI single from Hunter Atkins to push the lead back to three runs at 6-3.

Burleyson shut the door over the final 2.2 innings, allowing just one hit while earning his 12th save of the season.

Dunlap finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs, while Chrismon drove in three runs with his first-inning home run. Atkins added a pair of hits and an RBI in the victory.

Catawba improves to 47-11 on the season and advances to the NCAA Division II College World Series.