HICKORY, N.C. — The Catawba Valley Community College softball team earned a conference doubleheader sweep Wednesday afternoon, rolling past Southwest Virginia 17‑3 in the opener before completing the sweep with an 11‑0 shutout at Stanford Park.
Catawba Valley 17, Southwest Virginia 3 (game one)
Catawba Valley broke the game open early, scoring 12 runs in the first two innings to take control in the five‑inning win.
The Red Hawks finished with 11 hits and six walks, highlighted by a four‑RBI performance from Samantha Gregory, who went 2-for-3 at the plate. Reagan Garrett added two hits and two RBIs for CVCC, while Genesis Lebron finished 2-for-3 with three runs scored and two RBIs.
Gionna Merhtens and Alexa Moya each added two runs scored, while Finlee Young, Kadance Ward, Andi Stroud and Courtney Dean all drove in runs. CVCC also took advantage of six hit batters and a Southwest Virginia error.
Paige Ford earned the win in the circle, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits over four innings while striking out two. Emily McKie closed the game with a scoreless inning of relief, striking out one.
Catawba Valley 11, Southwest Virginia 0 (game two)
The Red Hawks followed their game one win with a dominant performance in game two, posting an 11‑0 shutout behind a complete‑game pitching effort from Mallory Hines.
Hines allowed just three hits over five innings, walked one and struck out one to earn the win. She faced 18 batters and retired the side in order twice.
Offensively, Catawba Valley totaled 12 hits and scored in four separate innings. Samantha Gregory led the way with a 3‑for‑3 performance, recording two doubles, two RBIs and two runs scored. Andi Stroud went 2-for-2 with three RBIs, while Paige Ford added two hits, two runs scored and an RBI.
Gionna Merhtens finished 2-for-3 with two RBIs, and Courtney Dean drove in a run and stole a base. The Red Hawks were aggressive on the base paths, stealing five bases in the game.
The Catawba Valley Community College softball team returns to action next Wednesday with a home doubleheader against Gaston College. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. at Stanford Park.