SHELBY, N.C. — The Catawba Valley Community College baseball team produced 16 hits and three home runs to power past Cleveland Community College 12–8 in Region 10 play on the road Wednesday afternoon.

Pierce Bouwman and Sylas Mills led the charge for the Red Hawks (23-17, 15-6 in Region 10), who scored in five different innings to seize control early and never trail. Bouwman finished 4-for-6 with a double, a home run, two runs scored and an RBI, while Mills delivered a standout performance by going 5-for-6 with a home run, three RBIs and two runs.

Catawba Valley jumped ahead with an eight-run outburst in the first three innings, highlighted by home runs from Josh Meadows, Bouwman and Mills. Meadows added a two-run shot and drove in two, while Isaiah McDowell contributed three hits, two RBIs and a double from the leadoff spot.

The Red Hawks' Brady Byler also drove in two runs, Meadows and McDowell each scored twice.

On the mound, Cooper Bliss earned the win in relief, tossing four innings and allowing just two runs on two hits while striking out three. Bliss steadied the game after Cleveland pushed across early runs, giving the Red Hawks the breathing room needed to extend the lead. Tony Lopez closed the door over the final three innings for CVCC, allowing two runs without issuing a walk.

Catawba Valley returns to conference play this weekend against Southwest Virginia Community College. The Red Hawks and Eagles will play a doubleheader Saturday beginning at 1 p.m., followed by a single nine-inning game Sunday at noon. Both games will take place at Henkel-Alley Field at the Hickory American Legion Fairgrounds.