ROME, Ga. — Catawba Valley went 3–1 over the weekend at the Georgia Highlands Classic, earning wins over Macomb and NJCAA Division I power Wabash Valley before falling in Sunday's finale to host Georgia Highlands.
GAME 1: Catawba Valley 14, Macomb 5
Catawba Valley opened the classic with a 14–5 win Friday, using two explosive innings to pull away.
The Red Hawks took control in the third with back‑to‑back doubles, including an RBI from Drew Berenyi. After Macomb tied the game, Alex Robinson homered to center in the fourth to make it 4–4. One inning later, Sylas Mills blasted a three‑run homer to right, giving CVCC the lead for good.
Catawba Valley broke the game open with a six‑run sixth inning, powered by a two‑run single from Brady Byler, an RBI single from Berenyi, an RBI double by Pierce Bouwman, and bases‑loaded walks drawn by Brody Taylor and Robinson.
Drew Bryant earned the win in relief, allowing one run over three innings. Berenyi went 3‑for‑4 to pace an 11‑hit attack, while Robinson and Mills each drove in three. CVCC worked nine walks and played error‑free defense.
GAME 2: Catawba Valley 9, Macomb 2
On Saturday, Mills again led the way, crushing a sixth‑inning grand slam to lift the Red Hawks to a 9–2 victory and a sweep of the two‑game set.
Lucas Dawson homered in the second to start the scoring, and Robinson drew a bases‑loaded walk in the third to extend the lead. After Macomb trimmed the margin to 3–2 with a fifth‑inning homer, CVCC answered with a five‑run sixth, highlighted by Bouwman's RBI single and Mills' grand slam.
Riley Campbell earned the win, giving up two runs on five hits over four innings. Lane Essary opened with a scoreless frame, and Bliss added two shutout innings in relief. Mills and Broden Thompson recorded two hits apiece, while Jacob Krebs drew three walks. CVCC totaled 10 walks and committed no errors.
GAME 3: Catawba Valley 11, Wabash Valley 9
Catawba Valley earned one of its biggest wins of the season Saturday afternoon, knocking off Division I powerhouse Wabash Valley 11–9 behind a two‑homer, four‑RBI performance from Robinson.
The Red Hawks erupted for five runs in the second inning. Robinson opened with a solo shot before a Berenyi fielder's choice scored another run. Moments later, Bouwman crushed a three‑run homer to left to make it 5–0.
CVCC extended the lead with a bases‑loaded walk to Tanner Brewer in the third, then added two more in the fourth on Mills' solo homer and an RBI single from Isaiah McDowell. Robinson delivered again in the fifth, belting a three‑run homer to right to push the advantage to 11–5.
Wabash Valley rallied with two solo homers but the Red Hawks held firm. Robinson earned the win in relief, striking out six over three innings. CVCC finished with 12 hits and again showed strong plate discipline, drawing 12 walks. Byler and Taylor each logged multi‑hit outings, and the Red Hawks remained error‑free defensively.
GAME 4: Georgia Highlands 8, Catawba Valley 0
Catawba Valley's bid for a perfect weekend ended Sunday with an 8–0 loss to host Georgia Highlands.
The Chargers struck with a sacrifice fly in the second and added three more runs in the third. CVCC managed five hits but could not break through against Georgia Highlands starter Perkins, who struck out six over 4 1/3 scoreless innings.
Chase Arrington took the loss for the Red Hawks, allowing one run over 1 1/3 innings. Bouwman finished 2‑for‑3 from the leadoff spot, and CVCC turned a double play and committed no errors for the fourth straight game.