MURFREESBORO – Chowan College swept a four-game series with Virginia State University this weekend.

The Braves took both games of a Saturday doubleheader at home Saturday before doing the same at Petersburg, Virginia on Sunday.

&uot;Offensively, we did what we had to do and scored runs,&uot; second-year Braves’ coach Aaron Carroll said. &uot;Right now as a team, we’re swinging the bat well. We’re probably hitting .360 or .370 as a team.

&uot;Pitching this weekend was outstanding for the most part,&uot; he added. &uot;We’re starting to get better. Our pitching staff is young, but each time out they are improving.&uot;

The Braves began the four-game tear, which gave them five wins in a row, by knocking off Virginia State 10-6.

Junior Joel Ortiz led the Braves offensively, going 2-for-3 with five stolen bases on the day. Matt Dize was 3-for-4 with three stolen bases while Mike McConnell was 2-for-4 on the day.

Mike Rockefeller went the distance for the Braves on the hill. Rockefeller (3-2) tossed seven innings while giving up 11 hits and striking out two.

In the nightcap, the Braves dominated Virginia State by piling up 14 runs in a 14-2 win.

Brandon Hamlett was 2-for-4 for the Braves with a pair of RBIs while Dize was 1-for-3, including a two-run homer.

Billy Coburn (1-0) picked up the win for Chowan. He went five innings on the mound, surrendering five hits while striking out four and walking two. Ryan Leary threw the final two innings in relief.

The victories moved Chowan to 8-4 on the young season.

Sunday saw the Braves pick up right where they left off.

In the opening game, the Braves got a win from Murfreesboro resident Adam Baldwin on the mound as they took a 4-2 victory.

Baldwin went six innings to pick up his first win of the year for the Braves. He gave up two runs on five hits and struck out four. Hamlett tossed the final inning to claim his first save on the year.

P.J. Sadler led the Braves offensively with a 2-for-3 day at the plate, including one RBI. McConnell was 1-for-3 with an RBI, which turned out to be the game-winner.

The second game Sunday was a stark contrast as the teams combined for 28 runs in the Braves’ 18-10 victory.

Every one of the Braves’ starters had a hit during the victory.

Hamlett was 3-for-6 on the day while Sadler was 4-for-5 with two RBIs. Dize checked in at 2-for-4 with three RBIs, Billy Coburn was 2-for-4 with two RBIs and McConnell was 2-for-4.

Justin Hollingsworth was 2-for-3 on the day, including three RBIs. Joey Ryder was 2-for-5 and Ortiz finished 1-for-4 with three RBIs.

Ryan Leary (1-0) picked up the win in relief, going three and one-third innings. He gave up four runs and five hits while striking out two.

&uot;To beat anyone three times is hard, much less four,&uot; Carroll said. &uot;It was good for us to get on a roll heading to South Carolina where we will see some good teams.&uot;

The Braves (10-4) travel to Greenville, South Carolina where they will face North Greenville College Wednesday and Thursday.