HICKORY, N.C. — The 17th-ranked Catawba Valley Community College softball team celebrated its four sophomore student athletes with a conference series win against Fayetteville Tech this past weekend at Stanford Park.

The Red Hawks improve to 21-5 overall and 17-3 in Region 10 play.

Game 1: No. 17 Catawba Valley 4, Fayetteville Tech 1

Behind a nine-strikeout performance on the mound from pitcher Mayson Lail, the Red Hawks took the opening game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Trojans.

Rileigh Farr led CVCC offensively with a double and two RBI, and teammate Tristan Smalling also drove in two runs.

Smalling's two-run single to left field opened the game's scoring in the second inning, and Farr's two-run double in the third inning added to the lead.

Trinity Gaither's RBI fielder's choice ended the potential for a Red Hawk shutout in the sixth.

Lail kept the Trojan hitters in check by allowing just three hits, one run and one walk to earn her 13th win of the spring.

Game 2: Fayetteville Tech 5, No. 17 Catawba Valley 2

The Red Hawks fell in game two of Saturday's doubleheader against the Trojans, who were powered by four hits from Isabella Finelli and three hits from Tamarah Lowery.

Third baseman Chesney Stikeleather led the Red Hawks with a solo home run in the sixth inning, while right fielder Zauryn Moore also drove in an RBI during the fifth inning.

Game 3: No. 17 Catawba Valley 5, Fayetteville Tech 3

The Red Hawks scored four runs in the first inning and didn't look back in a two-run victory against the Trojans in Sunday's series finale.

Catawba Valley honored its four sophomore student athletes before the game, including left fielder Abby Teague, catcher Kayla Hollar, pitcher Mayson Lail and third baseman Chesney Stikeleather, and all four would make an impact in their first home game.

Hollar led the Red Hawks in Sunday's victory with two RBI, while Stikeleather, Teague and Kameron Bolick each drove in one run apiece.

Lail earned win No. 14 on the mound this season. She allowed seven hits, three runs, two walks and struck out two batters.

The 17th-ranked Catawba Valley Community College softball team returns to action this weekend for a three-game road conference series at Cleveland. The Red Hawks and Yetis play a single seven-inning game at 2 p.m. Sunday before finishing the series with a 2 p.m. doubleheader on Saturday.