NEWTON, N.C. — The Catawba Valley Community College baseball earned a doubleheader sweep on Tuesday afternoon against Division I Spartanburg Methodist at Henkel-Alley Field at the Hickory American Legion Fairgrounds.
With the victories, the Red Hawks improve to 8-7 overall on the season.
Game one: Catawba Valley 10, Spartanburg Methodist 9 (nine innings)
Trailing by three runs entering the final half inning, catcher Willie Gordon launched a three-run home run with two outs, lifting the Red Hawks to a one-run, walk-off victory in extra innings during the opening game of the doubleheader on Tuesday.
Gordon connected on two home runs in the contest and drove in six runs on three hits, leading Catawba Valley to its seventh win of the season.
Things looked bleak early for the Red Hawks, who fell behind 4-1 through 3.5 innings of Tuesday's opener. Despite that early hole, CVCC rallied by scoring four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, including home runs by Gordon and left fielder Trent Jones, to take a 6-4 lead through four complete.
Spartanburg Methodist shortstop Kobe Phillips tied the game in the top of the sixth inning, launching a two-run home run to knot the Pioneers and Red Hawks at 6-6.
All hope seemed lost for Catawba Valley in the top of the ninth inning when SMC scored three runs, including a two-RBI double by Josh Tepper and an RBI single by Houston Wright, to go ahead 9-6.
However, the Red Hawks rallied in the bottom of the ninth inning, plating a run on an error before Gordon's two-out, three-run blast helped complete the comeback for CVCC.
Game two: Catawba Valley 8, Spartanburg Methodist 5 (seven innings)
The Red Hawks scored eight runs on eight hits, plating runs during four of their six innings on offense, en route to the doubleheader sweep in the nightcap of the twin bill on Tuesday afternoon against the Pioneers.
Center fielder Brett Eurey and catcher Willie Gordon led the charge for CVCC with two hits apiece. Gordon and teammate Tyler Campbell also scored two runs each.
Spartanburg Methodist led 4-3 through 2.5 innings, but Catawba Valley scored five-straight runs, including two each in the third and fifth innings and one in the sixth inning, to seize the lead for good in the contest.
David Kennedy, Jamie Sheek and Eurey all tallied one RBI each to help lead the late charge for the Red Hawks. Kennedy and Campbell also scored one run apiece on a passed ball and a wild pitch, respectively.
Tristen Shea tried to lead the Pioneers on a last-inning comeback, driving home a run on a single in the top of the seventh inning, but Red Hawks reliever Chase Covington was able to close the door, striking out the tying run at home plate to end the game.
On the mound, CVCC freshman Storm Mace earned his first win of the season. He allowed six hits, four runs (one earned), one walk and struck out one batter in four innings of work.
The CVCC baseball team returns to action on Thursday for another home doubleheader — this time against Belmont Abbey JV. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.