RALEIGH, N.C. — The Catawba Valley Community College softball team surged past Wake Technical in a doubleheader sweep Saturday, winning 12-1 and 12-10 behind explosive offense and key contributions from pitcher Reagan Garrett.
The Red Hawks broke open Saturday's first game against the Eagles and never looked back, scoring 12 runs on 11 hits in a six-inning victory. Garrett delivered the decisive blow with a three-run home run, while pitching a complete game to earn the win. The right-hander allowed just three hits and one earned run, striking out four and facing only 23 batters.
Catawba Valley center fielder Samantha Gregory went 2-for-3 with a double and three RBIs, while Paige Ford finished 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. Gionna Merhtens and Alexa Moya each scored twice, collected two hits and drove in runs. Red Hawk first baseman Courtney Dean added two RBIs.
Catawba Valley finished Saturday's opening game with five extra-base hits.
In game two of the set, the Red Hawks overcame a back-and-forth battle in extra innings, outlasting the Eagles 12-10 in a 10-inning marathon. Catawba Valley tallied 18 hits led by Merhtens, who went 4-for-6 with four runs scored and a home run.
Garrett continued her steady swing at the plate, finishing 3-for-5 with three RBIs and earning her second win of the day in relief. Finlee Young added three-hit performance with an RBI, while Kadance Ward also recorded three hits, scored twice and drove in a run.
Alexa Moya drove in two runs, while Dean, Ward and Paige Ford each contributed RBIs.
In the circle, Ford got the start, allowing three runs over four innings, before Garrett and Mallory Hines combined to close out the game. Garrett improved to 5-6 on the season, while Hines worked the final innings under pressure as the Red Hawks secured the sweep.
The Red Hawks produced 24 runs on 29 hits across the two-game doubleheader.
The Catawba Valley Community College softball team returns to action on Sunday for a road doubleheader at Louisburg. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. in Louisburg, N.C.