HobbsDailyReport.com
NEWTON – Catawba Valley Community College (CVCC) is off to a 1-1 start in Region X baseball after splitting a doubleheader on Sunday.
The Red Hawks beat Paul D. Camp Community College 8-5 in the first game in nine innings at the Legion Fairgrounds before falling 6-1 in the nightcap in a seven-inning game.
Paul D. Camp is 4-4 overall and 1-1 in Region X.
CVCC (5-2 overall) returns to action Tuesday with a game against the Montreat College junior varsity at the Big League Camp in Marion (6 p.m.).
CVCC 8, Paul D. Camp 5 (9 inn.)
The Red Hawks built a five-run lead early and held off a late charge by the Hurricanes to win.
come away with the three-run victory in their Region X opener on Sunday afternoon.
Third baseman Grant Tilley and designated hitter Trent Jones led CVCC by driving in two runs each while outfielders Jackson Brown and David Kennedy each had two hits.
CVCC starting pitcher Blake Dockery picked up his second win of the season, striking out 10 in 5 2/3 innings. He allowed four hits, two unearned runs and three walks in his second appearance of the season.
Leading 2-1 through 3 ½ innings, the Red Hawks scored four runs in the fourth inning — including on an RBI double by Tilley – to lead 6-1 through four innings.
The Hurricanes scored four runs over three innings – one in the sixth, two in the seventh and one in the eighth – to close within 6-5.
A clutch two-RBI single by Jones scored Garrison Burress and Brett Eurey in the bottom of the eighth inning before Red Hawks closer Nic Messina shut the door in the ninth inning by striking out two of the final three to gain his first save of the year.
Paul D. Camp 6, CVCC 1 (7 inn.)
The Red Hawks were two-hit in a five-run loss in the nightcap.
Hurricanes starting pitcher Joey Santos (2-0) went the distance, striking out 14 (five looking). He allowed one unearned run in seven innings.
The game was scoreless through the first three innings and the tie was broken when Hurricanes third baseman Cameron Ochsenfeld doubled in Thomas Fox in the fourth inning.
Paul D. Camp scored four more runs in the top of the fifth inning, two on a single by Fox and on a bases-loaded walk by Rufus Hurdle, for a 5-0 lead.
The Hurricanes’ final run came in the top of the sixth inning on a pinch-hit solo home run by Victor Spence to right field.
CVCC avoided a shutout when Tilley scored from second base in the bottom of the seventh inning when Tyler Campbell reached on a throwing error.
The Red Hawks’ hits were a double in the seventh inning by Tilley and a triple in the bottom of the third by Eurey.
CVCC starting pitcher Trae Starnes suffered his first loss of the season after giving up five earned runs, three hits and three walks in 4 1/3 innings. Logan Bender threw the final 2 2/3 innings, giving up two hits, one earned run and striking out six.
- Reported by CVCC Sports Information