** Carolina 9, West Tenn 1 **

Jackson, TN --- Tom Cochran won his fourth straight start, while Carolina pounded out 15 hits en route to a 9-1 victory over West Tenn at Pringles Park on Saturday night.

The Mudcats (11-8) overtook sole possession of first place with their third win in four games over West Tenn (6-13). Carolina scored twice in the first on consecutive two-out doubles by Devin Mesoraco and Dave Sappelt. Sappelt, who entered the game with a league-best batting average of .330, had three hits.

Carolina scored four runs in a decisive fourth inning, highlighted by a two-run home run by Jake Kahaulelio.

Cochran (W, 7-3) worked six innings, only surrendering a solo homer to Nate Tenbrink. Ruben Medina (S, 2) worked the final three inning to earn his second save.

Each of the nine in the Mudcats lineup had at least one hit.

The Mudcats' win, coupled with Chattanooga's loss to Huntsville staked Carolina to a one-game lead in the Northern Division.

The Mudcats will be off Sunday through Tuesday for the all-star break, returning to action at Five County Stadium on Wednesday night against Montgomery. Scott Carroll will start the opener against the Biscuits at 7:15 PM ET.