Catawba's Historic Season Comes to a Close at NCAA Division II National Championships
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 4 |
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0 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | X | 17 | 16 | 1 |
CARY, N.C. (June 3, 2026) – An unforgettable season for the Catawba College baseball team came to an end on Wednesday evening as the Indians fell to Tampa, 17-2, at the NCAA Division II National Championships at the USA Baseball National Training Complex. Despite the setback, Catawba concludes one of the finest seasons in program history with a 49-14 record and a trip to the national championship site.
Catawba struck first in the contest, plating a pair of runs in the third inning. Cameron Burleyson opened the frame with a walk and Malachi Cloud followed with a single before Logan Dyer delivered an RBI single to center field. Brandon Crabtree later added a sacrifice fly to give the Indians a 2-0 advantage. Dyer finished the game with three hits and an RBI, while Cloud recorded two hits and scored a run. Hunter Atkins added a pair of hits, including a double.
Tampa responded with eight runs in the bottom of the third inning and never relinquished control, advancing to the national championship series. The Spartans collected 16 hits on the night and improved to 49-8 on the season.
While the final game did not go the way the Indians hoped, it does little to diminish a remarkable 2026 campaign. Catawba captured 49 victories, won the South Atlantic Conference Tournament Championship, advanced through regional play, and earned a coveted berth in Cary as one of the nation's final teams standing.