CARY — Henderson State was a surprise qualifier for the Division II National Championships, but the Reddies proved they belonged on the big stage in Cary with a 4-0 first-round win against Angelo State (Texas).

The Reddies, who owe their unique nickname to their red uniforms, battle Catawba in a winner’s bracket game on Monday at 7 p.m. .

Relatively speaking, it’s a home game for Southeast Regional champ Catawba, which is located 118 miles from Cary.

Henderson State (32-19) was picked ninth in the Great American Conference in the preseason, so the Reddies  from Arkadelphia, Ark., are a Cinderella story. They finished second in their league and were the lowest seed (No. 6)  in the Central Regional, but they took that tournament to qualify for a trip to Cary.

Top players for Henderson State include Hunter Mayall, a first baseman who leads off, and third baseman Claude Johnson (10 homers), who provides power.

Neither Henderson State nor Catawba has dropped a postseason game. Both have gone 5-0.

Sophomore right-hander Chris Hunt is expected to pitch for Henderson State. He is 6-3 with a 2.84 ERA.

Catawba’s pitching situation is uncertain.

Craig Brooks, who saved the opener and leads Division II in strikeouts, will likely be limited to closing in this tournament. Brooks had a clean MRI after his elbow felt tight in a regional game, but he’s a likely draft pick and the Indians aren’t going to take any chances with his future.

“Brooks feels good, but he’s got a lot of wear and tear after playing third base all season as well as pitching,” Catawba coach Jim Gantt said. “We want to win every game we play, but we’re not trying to win at all costs.”

No. 2 starter Shaefer Shepard was outstanding for Catawba in Saturday’s 3-2 win against Wimington, Del.

Lefties Sean Grant and Russ Weiker pitched marvelous games in the regional, so they’re possibilities to face the Reddies. So is Connor Johnson, a freshman southpaw who didn’t do well in the regional but was effective in the regular season.

Will Albertson was held to a bloop single on Saturday, but the regional and national player of the year is Catawba’s biggest offensive threat. Brooks had half of Catawba’s six hits on Saturday and will start at third base against the Reddies. Catawba leadoff man Blake Houston is in a slump. One of the nation’s leaders in runs scored, Houston is 2-for-22 in the postseason.

Catawba (45-13) is two wins away from tying for the most in school history. The 2006 Indians blasted a school-record 93 homers  and batted .347 as a team on their way to 47 wins.

If Catawba wins Monday, it won’t play again until  a 7 p.m. winner’s bracket game on Thursday. If Catawba loses Monday it will face an elimination game on Wednesday at 3 p.m.