KINSTON, N.C. — The Catawba Valley Community College baseball team scored one run each in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings to secure a 7-5 victory over Pitt Community College in the opening round of the Region 10 tournament on Friday at Grainger Stadium.

Left fielder Alex Robinson launched a solo home run in the seventh inning, and he also added a sacrifice fly to account for two RBIs, anchoring the middle of the Red Hawks' lineup. 

Sylas Mills reached base twice and drove in a run for CVCC, while Pierce Bouwman and Brody Taylor each recorded RBI hits. Brady Byler also scored twice. Catawba Valley finished Friday's tournament opener with eight hits.

Catawba Valley (35-21) broke through with a four-run second inning of the contest to take the early 4-1 lead, but Pitt quickly answered with four runs of their own combined in the third and fourth innings to take a 5-4 advantage.

Robinson's sac fly in the fifth inning tied the game at 5-5, Mills' RBI single in the sixth inning to left field scored Byler to put CVCC ahead for good in the game and Robinson's solo blast added some late insurance down the stretch.

On the mound, the Red Hawks leaned on a critical relief performance from Drew Bryant, who silenced Pitt's offense over the final four innings. He allowed four hits, walked one and did not give up a run to secure the win.

Red Hawk starter Chase Arrington struck out seven batters over five innings while allowing five runs, keeping the Red Hawks within striking distance before Bryant took over in the sixth.

The Red Hawks face Brunswick in the second round of the Region 10 tournament at Friday at Grainger Stadium. First pitch is set for 7 p.m.