GREENSBORO, N.C. — The Averett University softball team earned a pair of non-conference wins from Guilford College on Sunday afternoon. The Cougars began the day with a 4-2 win in Game 1, then held off the Quakers 6-5 in the nightcap.

In Game 1, Averett (5-0-1) jumped out to an early 2-0 advantage in the top of the third inning thanks to junior Taylor Dix's two-run double to left-center field. After holding the Quakers scoreless in the bottom half of the third, the Cougars increased their lead to 3-0 when sophomore Jessica Long knocked a solo home run to left field. Averett added an insurance run off senior Emily Dunford's sacrifice fly to center field.

Despite the deficit, Guilford (3-3) posted two runs in the bottom of the sixth to cut the Cougars' lead in half. However, Averett used a pair of strikeouts to end the threat. The Cougars had to fight off another Quakers' threat in the bottom half of the seventh. Guilford put the tying runs aboard, but Averett got a force-out at third to end the game.

Sophomore Samantha Hall paced Averett offensively, going 3-for-4 in the opening victory, while Long went 2-for-3.

Junior Mary Beth Smith (3-0) pitched a complete game, scattering seven hits and recording 10 strikeouts to earn the win.

The nightcap saw the Cougars fighting off another rally from Guilford. Leading 6-2 going into the bottom of the seventh, the Quakers used a pair of RBI doubles and a RBI single to cut their deficit to 6-5. Once again, though, Averett was able to fend off the comeback. Junior Jessica Griffin got Ashley Boteler to ground out to third, sealing the win for the Cougars.

Averett broke open a close game thanks to a four-run fifth inning. Ahead 1-0, sophomore Meredith Rudisill led off the inning with a single and moved to second on junior Rhyan Scearce's sacrifice bunt. Long's RBI single scored Rudisill, giving Averett a 2-0 edge. The Cougars' next at-bat saw Hall single up the middle, advancing Long over to third. Long scored on a wild pitch and Dix's single up the middle brought Hall home, making it 4-0 Cougars. Averett added another run with freshman Laura Young's sacrifice fly to center field.

Long finished a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate, while Young went 3-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs. Dix and Hall also finished with two hits apiece for Averett, which was playing for the first time since Feb. 13 because of inclement weather.

Griffin (1-0) worked 6.1 innings, allowing seven hits, while giving up two runs in the victory.

Averett returns to action on Feb. 28 when it travels to Virginia Beach, Virginia, to take on Virginia Wesleyan College in a doubleheader at 1 p.m.