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HOME OF THE LANDER UNIVERSITY BEARCATS #CLAWSUP
4
Catawba CATAWBA 0-1
9
Winner Lander LANDER 01-0
Catawba CATAWBA
0-1
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Final
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Lander LANDER
01-0
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Catawba CATAWBA 0 0 0 0 0 3 1 4 5 4
Lander LANDER 1 0 0 2 0 6 X 9 9 2

W: Sherman, Paige (1-0) L: D. Wilkins (0-1)

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Catawba CATAWBA 0-2
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Winner Lander LANDER 2-0
Catawba CATAWBA
0-2
5
Final
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Lander LANDER
2-0
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Catawba CATAWBA 0 0 0 0 3 2 0 5 6 1
Lander LANDER 2 1 1 0 2 0 X 6 11 2

W: Cazares, Brie (1-0) L: L. Ruscoe (0-1) S: Geddings, Mattye (1)

Chloe Manders SB vs Catawba 2026
Bob Stoner

Game Recap: Softball | | Hailey Franklin - Assistant Sports Information Director

Bearcat Softball Sweeps Opening Weekend with Doubleheader Wins Over Catawba

GREENWOOD - The Lander University softball team opened the 2026 season in convincing fashion Saturday, cruising to a 2-0 weekend after sweeping a home doubleheader against Catawba College at Doug Spears Field.

Game One: Lander 9, Catawba 4

Lander set the tone early in the opener and broke the game open with a six-run sixth inning to pull away for a 9-4 victory.

The Bearcats struck first in the opening frame when freshman Emorie Anderson was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, bringing home Emily Allen for a 1-0 lead.

Bella Angeli delivered the first big swing in the fourth, ripping a two-run double to push the advantage to 3-0. After Catawba answered with three runs in the sixth to briefly tie the game, Lander responded immediately with an offensive surge.

Reagan Hill's RBI double ignited the rally, followed by Isabella Santos' run-scoring single and a two-run pinch-hit single from Kaylee Youmans. A wild pitch capped the inning as Lander plated six runs to seize control.

Allen led the offense by scoring three runs with one hit and two walks, while Angeli finished with two RBIs and one double. Anderson went 2-for-2 with an RBI, and Youmans drove in two off a pinch hit.

In the circle, sophomore Paige Sherman earned the win, allowing three runs (one earned) on four hits over six innings. She induced 11 groundouts and struck out four before Mattye Geddings closed the final inning.

Game Two: Lander 6, Catawba 5

The nightcap proved tighter, but Lander again came out on top behind timely hitting and strong pitching down the stretch.

Angeli provided the early spark in the first inning, launching a two-run home run to center to give Lander a quick 2-0 lead. The Bearcats added runs in the second and third on a sacrifice fly by Allen and an RBI single from Anderson to extend the margin to 4-0.

Catawba rallied with three runs in the fifth to knot the game, but Lander answered in the bottom half. Kara VonAchen delivered the decisive blow with a two-run double, restoring a 6-3 cushion.

After Catawba scored twice in the sixth, Geddings entered in relief and shut the door over the final two innings to earn the save.

Angeli finished 2-for-4 with two runs and two RBIs, while Allen went 2-for-3 with an RBI. VonAchen was perfect at the plate, going 2-for-2 with two doubles and two RBIs. Anderson added an RBI and scored once.

Freshman Brie Cazares picked up her first collegiate win in her first start of the season for Lander, working five innings and allowing three runs before turning it over to Geddings.

Lander will look to build on the strong start as the Bearcats continue their early-season schedule next week.

Lander returns to action on Tuesday, Feb. 10, traveling to Tigerville, S.C., for a nonconference doubleheader at North Greenville. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m., with game two to follow at 3:00 p.m.
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