GREENSBORO, N.C. — Averett University used a five-run rally in the eighth inning to edge Greensboro College on Friday in the opener of their three-game USA South Conference baseball series.

Trailing 10-8 after seven innings, Averett (1-1, 1-0 USA South) benefitted from a pair of lead-off walks and a Pride error loaded the bases. One out later, senior Taylor Davis was drilled by a pitch, bringing in a run. Moments later, senior Kevin Alvarez followed with a go-ahead, two-run single to left field to put Averett in front 11-10 — its first lead since the first inning. The Cougars tacked on what proved to be two more crucial insurance runs on junior Drew Evans' two-run single to left field.

Evans, who went 4-for-5 with four RBIs at the plate, finished off Greensboro (3-1, 3-1 USA South) in the bottom of the ninth. After the Pride loaded the bases with two outs to put the winning run on base, Evans went to the mound. The right-hander gave up an RBI single that pulled Greensboro back within two, but he struck out J.P. Lisk for the final out to seal the comeback victory and earn his first save of the season.

Junior Brandon Goff (1-0) earned his first career win in 3.2 innings of relief work. Goff struck out three and allowed just one run — unearned — on two hits and three walks.
 
Averett opened the game with a bang, quickly taking a 4-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Freshman Kyle Vidano reached base and later scored on an error to put the Cougars on the board. Evans added a two-run single and freshman B.J. Purnell drove in the other run with a single.

Despite spotting Averett the lead, Greensboro answered in the bottom half of the first with five runs, including a pair on Brian Robbett's double to center field. The Pride increased its lead to 7-4 the next inning when two runs scored thanks to an Averett error.

Averett closed the deficit to 7-5 on Vidano's RBI double in the fourth, only to give up two more runs to Greensboro in the bottom half of the frame. The Cougars continued to claw their way back as senior Nic Futrell trimmed Greensboro's advantage to 9-7 with his two-run single in the fifth. Averett and Greensboro traded a run in their next at-bat as the Pride took a 10-8 lead into the late innings.

In addition to Evans' four hits, Vidano finished 4-for-6 and Alvarez was 3-for-4 to help lead Averett's offense, which churned out 15 hits.
 
Averett and Greensboro complete their series with a 1 p.m. doubleheader on Saturday.