Zebulon, NC --- Lee Mitchell drove in four runs to lead Chris Volstad to his third victory without a loss as Carolina defeated West Tenn 7-1 at Five County Stadium on Tuesday night.

Mitchell singled home a fifth inning run, drove in two more with a bouncing single in the sixth, but began his night with a bases loaded walk in the first against Diamond Jaxx starter Doug Fister (L, 3-1). Carolina (17-9) scored twice against Fister in the first, the other coming home on an error by shortstop Mark Kiger.

With the victory, Carolina pulled to within 1/2 game of idle Huntsville, which leads the Northern Division. The Stars open a set in Montgomery on Wednesday night. The Diamond Jaxx (16-10) fell into third place 1 1/2 games behind.

Volstad (W, 3-0) was his typical solid self, working seven innings, fanning eight while walking none. Volstad retired 15 of the first 16 hitters he faced and only allowed a run in the sixth after a pair of Diamond Jaxx hitters reached on consecutive bloop singles.

Brett Hayes had a pair of extra base hits, including a solo homer in the fourth inning. John Raynor reached base all four times for Carolina with a pair of walks, an infield single, two stolen bases and then was hit on the knee in the sixth.

Matt Yourkin and Todd Doolittle combined for the final two innings of work behind Volstad's seven frames.

Ryan Tucker (1-1, 1.30) starts the series' second game Wednesday night against former Mudcat Rich Dorman (3-1, 2.25) at 7:15 PM ET.