Catfish take series from Augusta, seek sweep

The Columbus Catfish have won three straight from the Augusta Greenjackets (Giants). Thursday night, the beat Augusta 5-2 behind the pitching of Heath Rollins.

Rollins (11-4) allowed two runs on seven hits without walking a batter en route to his third win in four starts. He fanned nine on two previous occasions this season, the last coming on May 14 against the GreenJackets.

The 22-year-old right-hander leads the South Atlantic League with 118 strikeouts.

Neal Frontz worked around a single in the ninth for his 12th save as the Catfish (19-14) won their second straight.

Ryan Royster went 4-for-4 with two runs scored and Quinn Stewart homered and drove in three runs for Columbus.

On Friday night, Quinn Stewart provided one of the offensive highlights, as the Catfish won 6-2.

Stewart, who went 2-for-4, smacked his 16th homer in the first inning and doubled in the sixth before reaching on an error and scoring in the eighth.

Nevin Ashley and Brett Grandstrand ripped RBI doubles and Matthew Fields lined a run-scoring single for the Catfish (20-14).

Reliever Wilton Noel (3-1) gave up two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out three over five innings for the win. Starter Will Kline allowed two hits and three walks while fanning one in three scoreless frames.

The Catfish go for the sweep tonight against Augusta before taking a day off Sunday, and returning home Monday for an 8-game home stand. They host West Virginia and Lexington.