FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — The Averett University softball team continued its undefeated run, topping conference for Methodist University twice for a doubleheader sweep Thursday afternoon. Averett won the opener 3-1, then took the finale 9-0 in five innings.
 
Averett (14-0-1, 6-0 USA South) inched out a win in the opening game. The Cougars scored all three of its runs in the first two innings as junior Taylor Dix played a significant part on offense. In the top of the first, Dix's RBI double to left center brought in sophomore Jessica Long. Senior Emily Dunford added an RBI single to give the Cougars a two-run advantage. Dix finished 2-for-4, adding an RBI single in the second inning. Dunford went 2-for-3 with one RBI.
 
With good pitching and defense from the Cougars, Methodist (5-7, 1-3 USA South) was held scoreless until the bottom of the fourth. The Monarchs' Kelsey Harrington capitalized on Averett's errors, advancing on a throw and passed ball to make her way to third base. Lindsay Tippett doubled to left center to give Methodist its first and only run of the afternoon.

Still, Averett had to hold off a late threat by Methodist. The Monarchs had the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh, but junior right-hander Mary Beth Smith (8-0) got a strikeout to end the game. Smith earned the win, striking out seven while allowing just one run on three hits in seven innings.
 
In Game 2, the Cougars thrived offensively to dominate the Monarchs 9-0 in five innings. Junior right-hander Jessica Griffin proved that her arm is just as dangerous at the plate as it is in the circle. Averett gained a 2-0 advantage in the second inning from Griffin's second homer of the season to left field, and it was her double that sent in Dix and Dunford to stretch the lead to 5-0 in the third inning. Griffin went 2-for-3 with three RBI while Dix finished the second game 3-for-3 with two RBI.
 
The Cougars, who received a vote in the latest National Fastpitch Coaches Association Top 25, continued to their success at the plate, totaling 14 hits in Game 2. Methodist couldn't catch up, which caused the game to end after the fifth inning.
 
Averett hosts Greensboro College on Saturday in a doubleheader at 1 p.m. for a USA South Conference matchup.