Box Score

SALISBURY, N.C. - The Shippensburg University baseball team played just one game on Saturday due to wintry weather and had another strong effort against No. 17 Catawba, dropping an 8-7 decision to the Indians. SU was down 7-1 after six innings but got the tying run to third base in its final at-bat.

Shippensburg (0-2) outhit the home team 16-6 and put forth an offensive explosion in the final three innings. The only run for the Red Raiders in the first six innings came on a solo home run from sophomore right fielder Cody Kulp.

The team's seventh-inning rally began with a single from junior catcher Kris Kullman, who had his first career four-hit game. Kullman came around to score on an RBI-double from sophomore shortstop Ben Miller, and junior center fielder #A.J. Czap# followed with an RBI-single to plate Miller. SU trimmed its deficit to 7-4 after Kulp singled home Czap.

After an unearned run in the eighth inning off senior Kyle Chronister, the Red Raiders began their rally in the top of the ninth with a walk by Czap and a single from Kulp. Two flyouts and a single from Hollingsworth set up a bases loaded situation with the Red Raiders still down four runs.

Kullman's fourth hit plated two runs and brought the go-ahead run to the plate. After a pitching change, sophomore left fielder Eric Herman ripped an RBI-double that placed two runners in scoring position. The rally ended with a groundout by freshman second baseman Zack Piper.

Sophomore Ryan Rehman made the start for the Red Raiders but was touched for five runs (two earned), five hits and three walks in two-plus innings. Freshman Kyle Hollingsworth entered in relief and pitched four solid innings, scattering three hits and allowing just one earned run. The problem for SU on Saturday was its defense, as just three of the eight runs allowed were earned.

In addition to Kullman's 4-for-5 performance, Herman continued his solid hitting by going 3-for-4 with two doubles. Kulp was 3-for-5 with two RBIs and two runs, while Czap had two hits, two runs and an RBI.

The Red Raiders will conclude their season-opening series at 1 p.m. tomorrow from Newman Park.