DANVILLE, Va. — The Averett University softball team shutout Southern Virginia University 22-0, then dominated the Knights 23-3 in the second game to sweep a non-conference doubleheader on Wednesday at Cougar Field.
 
In the first game, Averett (7-0-1) developed a comfortable 8-0 lead that was sparked by sophomore infielder Jessica Long by the bottom of the second inning. In her second time at-bat and with senior Amy Hamlett on first base, Long homered to left-center.  
 
While the Cougars continued to find gaps in the field, scoring eight runs in the bottom of the third, Southern Virginia (0-0) got only three hits in the entire game as Averett continued to pull away. Long hit her second homer of the afternoon in the bottom of the fifth. Ahead 20-0 with no outs, she sliced the ball to left field again, sending in junior Jessica Griffin.
 
Long and sophomore catcher Meredith Rudisill went 2-for-3 with five RBIs each. Sophomore outfielder Samantha Hall went 4-for-5 with two RBI and three stolen bases.
 
In the final game, the Cougars scored seven runs in the second inning, capped by junior shortstop Taylor Dix's home run. Even though Averett began to pull away, SVU scored in three consecutive plays in the top of the third.  With two outs, Annie Biggs singled to center field and advanced to second on a throw that allowed Katierose Helems to score SVU's first run of the day. Immediately after, Kenzie Cox singled and also advanced to second on a throw to send Biggs home, and Losehina Aetonu singled to left field, bringing Cox in.
 
The Knights' luck ran out there as the Cougars scored 13 runs in the fourth inning. Even with the Cougars hitting routine fly balls, the Knights struggled defensive, racking up six fielding errors.

Junior pitcher Mary Beth Smith (4-0) struck out three batters in a row to claim the win. She pitched two innings to finish with six strikeouts and also went 3-for-3 with four RBI.
 
Junior first base Rhyan Scearce led the Cougars going 4-for-4 with two doubles, six RBI, and four runs scored.