SALISBURY, N.C. - Devin Dudal struck out 10 in 6.1 innings, while the No. 6 Columbus State University baseball team scored two runs in the sixth to pick up a 2-0 series-opening win over Catawba College on Friday at Newman Park.  

It was the second straight shutout for the Cougars (8-1) as Peyton Burton relieved Dudal and threw 2.2 excellent innings. 

"That was a well-played game by both teams," commented head coach Greg Appleton. "Devin and Peyton were great tonight, and we got the timely hits that we needed."

Five of the first six outs Dudal record on Friday was via a strikeout, but none was bigger than his fifth. In the bottom of the second, three singles loaded the bases for Catawba before Dudal punched out Levi Perrell looking to retire the side.

The pitching duel between Dudal and Greg Brown continued into the sixth when Brown ran into trouble. Isaac Bouton knocked a double to begin the frame before Colby Brabston found a hole on a 0-2 pitch to put the Cougars on top 1-0. After a groundout moved Brabston to second, Steven Minter picked up his third hit of the afternoon to plate Brabston.

Catawba (4-5) tried to rally in the sixth as Dawson Painter hit a one-out double and Dudal hit Zach Miller with a pitch. However, a strikeout and a comebacker to Dudal ended the threat. 

The Cougars loaded the bases in the seventh but couldn't add to the lead.

Burton relived Dudal in the seventh following a one-out single and didn't disappoint. The sophomore didn't allow a hit or walk in his save, with the only runner reaching on an error.

Minter (3-for-4, RBI)  was the lone Cougar with a two-hit day. 

Painter was 2-for-4 for the Indians with two doubles. Brown (0-2) took the loss, allowing two runs in 5.1 innings. 

UP NEXT
The Cougars and Indians will play the middle game of the series on Saturday at 4 p.m. at Newman Park.

COUGAR NOTES
• It's the first time Columbus State has posted back-to-back shutouts since 2017 (March 8 & March 10)
• CSU struck out a season-high 13 hitters
• Dudal's 10 strikeouts are tied for the most by a Peach Belt Conference pitcher this season
• Minter recorded his first three-hit game of 2022. The first-baseman had eight 3-plus hit games in 2021
• It was the first-ever game between the two schools in Salisbury. CSU now leads the all-time series 4-1