Red Hawks top Dolphins in rain-halted rubber match

Red Hawks top Dolphins in rain-halted rubber match

HICKORY, N.C. — For the second-straight day, the 12th-ranked Catawba Valley Community College baseball team rallied for a 5-4 victory against visiting Brunswick Community College — this time in six-inning, weather-shortened fashion at Henkel-Alley Field on Sunday.

A bases loaded walk by Tyler Campbell in the bottom of the fourth inning scored the eventual game-winning run for the Red Hawks, who improve to 30-11 overall and 12-4 in Region X play.

Catawba Valley fell behind 4-0 quickly in the top of the third inning after Brunswick scored on a two-run single by Zack Johnson and an RBI sac fly by Trevor Heasley.

The fourth Dolphin run of the inning scored on an Red Hawk error.

First baseman Kyran Russ powered CVCC back to within 4-3 in the contest in the bottom of the third inning, clearing the bases on his fourth double of the season.

A bases-loaded single by Catawba Valley second baseman Jimmy Marcelli in the bottom of the fourth inning tied the contest a 4-4 before Campbell's pinch hit walk forced in the go-ahead run.

The Dolphins (23-13, 12-4 in Region X) had chances to tie the game in the top of the fifth and sixth innings, but stranded three runners on base before lightning and rain forced the game to be shortened in the middle of the sixth inning.

Red Hawks starting pitcher Trae Starnes earned his fourth win of the season. He allowed eight hits, four runs (one earned) one walk and struck out six batters.

Kevin Finzer and Hunter Isaacs closed out the final inning on the mound for Catawba Valley, giving up no hits and walking two batters.

The CVCC baseball team returns to action on Wednesday for a non-conference home doubleheader against Spartanburg Methodist at Henkel-Alley Field. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.