Staff report

WINGATE — Catawba’s softball season ended in dramatic fashion on Saturday with a 4-3 loss to Lenoir-Rhyne in the South Atlantic Conference Tournament.

Catawba got great pitching from starter Riley Tucker. The game was 1-all at the end of regulation.

Catawba got solo homers from Madison Taylor and Savanna Balderston in the top of the ninth to take a 3-1 lead, but Katelyn Rackard hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth to win the game for the fourth-seeded Bears.

Brianna Herring took the loss in the circle for the Indians (23-27). Christina Brendle, Taylor and Balderston had two hits each.

Abbey Nixon (Carson) played left field for the Bears but was not in the batting order.

•••

The loss to Lenoir-Rhyne was the second for the eighth-seeded Indians in the double-elimination tournament.

Catawba lost 7-3 to top-seeded Wingate in Friday’s opening round.

Sydney Kale shut down Catawba’s offense for five innings as the Bulldogs took a 7-0 lead. Catawba staged a rally for three runs in the sixth against the bullpen.

Tucker and Kary Hales (Carson) supplied the offense for the Indians. They had two hits each, and Hales had two RBIs.

•••

Wingate and Lenoir-Rhyne reached Sunday’s finals in the half of the tournament being played at Wingate.

Anderson and Carson-Newman are the teams still alive in the portion of the tournament at Anderson.