The 2026 Division II Baseball Championship game in Cary, North Carolina, turned into a roller‑coaster for Point Loma Nazarene University.
Early Dominance
PLNU struck first, building a 5‑0 lead before the fifth inning.
Catawba's Fifth‑Inning Surge
The Wildcats answered with a seven‑run burst in the bottom of the fifth, using just three hits to flip the scoreboard.
Ninth‑Inning Drama
The Pilots rallied in the top of the ninth, scoring three runs to tie the game at 9‑9, only to watch Catawba seize victory.
Key Performances
Hunter Atkins went 5‑for‑5 with a home run and five RBIs for Catawba, while PLNU’s Hank Smith finished 3‑for‑6 with a triple and four RBIs.
Josiah Rodriguez contributed two RBIs and two runs, and Owen May added a double and two scores, but six PLNU pitchers combined for 11 walks.
Pitching Woes
Smith took the loss on the mound, and the Pilots’ staff issued a total of 11 walks, underscoring a rough outing.
The final walk‑off single by Atkins with two outs in the bottom of the ninth sealed a 10‑9 win for Catawba.