KNOXVILLE, Tennessee. — The 13th-ranked Catawba Valley Community College baseball team earned a doubleheader split against Pellissippi State Community College on Wednesday afternoon at Ridley-Helton Field.

The Red Hawks improve to 18-12 overall on the season.

Game one: Pellissippi State 7, Catawba Valley 3

Catawba Valley collected key extra-base hits and worked through traffic on the mound in the opening game before Pellissippi State pulled away late to take Wednesday's doubleheader opener.

Lucas Dawson paced the Red Hawks' offense with a triple, while Nathan Bunch added a double.

The Red Hawks used five pitchers in the opener, highlighted by Braiden Moore and Riley Campbell, who each faced nine batters in relief. Catawba Valley also turned to Nick Russo, who closed out the final frame.

Game two: Catawba Valley 7, Pellissippi State 0

Catawba Valley responded emphatically in the second game of Wednesday's road doubleheader, riding a powerful offensive performance to secure the split.

Sylas Mills blasted two home runs to lead the Red Hawks, and Pierce Bouwman added a home run of his own.

Broden Thompson chipped in a double, while Alex Robinson, Brady Byler and Josh Meadows each recorded hits. Robinson also stole a base.

On the mound, Catawba Valley's pitching staff kept Pellissippi State in check. Cooper Bliss, Cole Bowie and Drew Bryant combined to limit the Panthers to one extra-base hit. Bowie faced 10 batters and provided critical middle innings, while Bryant worked efficiently to close out the contest.

Pellissippi State was held to a single double in the nightcap, as the Red Hawks' pitching and defense controlled the tempo and prevented sustained rallies.