HICKORY, N.C. — The 12th-ranked Catawba Valley Community College baseball team split a Saturday conference doubleheader against visiting Brunswick Community College at Henkel-Alley Field.

CVCC (29-11, 11-4 in Region X) rallied to win the first game of the series before being one-hit in a four-run loss in the second game against the Dolphins (23-12, 12-3 in Region X).

Game one: No. 12 Catawba Valley 5, Brunswick 4

The Red Hawks rallied from an early 3-0 deficit to defeat the Dolphins in the first game of the doubleheader on Saturday.

Brunswick powered to an early 3-0 lead, scoring three runs in the top of the third inning, including an RBI double by Scott McKeon and an RBI single from Zack Johnson.

After scoring a run in the bottom of the third on an RBI ground out by Cory Watt, CVCC took its first lead of the contest by scoring three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, including a sac fly by Watt and an RBI double by Graham Mitchell.

The Dolphins tied the game at 4-4 with an RBI double by McKeon in the top of the sixth inning.

However, a bases loaded single to left field by Cody Payne in the bottom of the eighth inning plated Mitchell, allowing CVCC to come away with the one-run Region X victory.

Red Hawks starting pitcher Julian Smith allowed nine hits, three runs (two earned), two walks and struck out five batters in his five-inning appearance.

Relievers Timothy Davila and Nic Messina closed out the final four innings on the mound, combining to allow two hits, one earned run and four walks, and the duo struck out two batters.

Messina earned the win on the mound — his third of the season.

Game two: Brunswick 5, No. 12 Catawba Valley 1

Dolphins starting pitcher Josh Jarman allowed just one hit, leading Brunswick to a four-run win in the second game of the twin bill on Saturday.

Jarman gave up a leadoff single to Cory Watt in the bottom of the first inning before retiring 23 of the next 27 batters he faced. After stealing two bases, Watt scored in the inning on a ground out by Graham Mitchell.

Brunswick took the lead for good in Saturday's second game on a two-run homer by Scott McKeon in the top of the third inning.

The Dolphins added two late insurance runs in the top of the fourth inning, scoring on an RBI single by McKeon and a Red Hawk error.

CVCC starting pitcher Harry Hatcher suffered just his second loss of the season. Hatcher allowed eight hits, five runs (three earned), one walk and struck out one batter in his 3.2-inning appearance.

Red Hawk relief pitchers Matthew Dailey and Greg Collins closed out the final 3.1 innings on the mound, combining to give up three hits and no runs. Dailey and Collins also struck out four batters.


The CVCC baseball team finishes its series with Brunswick on Sunday with one nine-inning game set for 11 a.m. at Henkel-Alley Field. The contest was originally scheduled for a noon start, but was moved up due to inclement weather in the forecast.