DEMOREST, Ga. — Averett University baseball split a doubleheader with Piedmont College on Saturday afternoon, routing Piedmont 16-1 in eight innings in the opener, and losing 5-4 in the nightcap.

Trailing 5-1 down to its last three-outs, Averett (17-7, 12-5 USA South) nearly found a way to complete its fifth ninth inning or later comeback victory on the season, but ultimately fell short. Seniors Taylor Davis and Kevin Alvarez led off the frame with back-to-back singles to put runners on first and second base for the Cougars. Davis and Alvarez advanced to second and third on a groundout to put Averett in prime position to score. Two batters later, junior Drew Evans smashed a two-run double to score Davis and Alvarez, cutting the Cougars' deficit in half at 5-3. Averett's next at bat saw sophomore Hunter Ashworth knock a single to score Evans and Ashworth got to second on a throwing error, putting the tying run in scoring position for the Cougars. However, that's as close as Averett got as Piedmont (16-7, 13-7 USA South) induced a game-ending strikeout to seal the victory in the nightcap.

After losing the first game in eight, Piedmont used a three-run fourth inning to give it the edge. A pair of RBI singles by Michael Barnes and Austin Brick made it 2-0 Lions. An Averett error brought in another Piedmont run to give it a three-run advantage after four.  The Cougars got on the board in the sixth thanks to Alvarez's RBI double.

Evans paced the Cougars offensively in the nightcap, driving in two runs. Ashworth and Alvarez each chipped in with an RBI and Davis added two hits on the evening.

Junior right-hander T.J. Viracola (1-3) recorded a career-high in strikeouts with 11 in eight innings of work.

Averett used its offensive prowess in cruising to a double-digit victory in the first game. The Cougars combined for a total of 11 runs in the seventh and eighth to put the contest out of reach for the Lions. Leading 5-0 going into the top of the seventh, a Lions' fielder's choice, a bunt single by Evans, and a hit batter juiced the bases for Averett. Back-to-back RBI singles by senior Chatham Currie and freshman Kyle Vidano increased the Cougars' lead to seven. After a Piedmont pitching change, senior J.T. Crowder's single scored a run on the play and a throwing error by the Lions brought home another run, putting Averett in front 9-0. The Cougars added three more runs in the frame thanks to two more Piedmont errors and an RBI groundout by Alvarez, ballooning Averett's lead to 12.

After surrendering a run in the bottom of the seventh, a pair of lead-off walks got things started for the Cougars in the eighth. Vidano's RBI single plated Ashworth and Crowder recorded his third RBI of the game thanks to a sacrifice fly to right. Coston added another RBI to his game resume with a single and a bases loaded walk by Piedmont gave the Cougars a 16-1 advantage after seven and a half.

The Cougars used a five-run second to break open a scoreless game. After a single and two consecutive hit batters loaded the bases for Averett, Crowder walked, which brought Ashworth home, putting Averett on the board. Davis' three-run double cleared the bases and Alvarez followed with a double that scored Davis, putting Averett ahead by five.

In the first game, the Cougars were led offensively by Crowder and Davis who each brought home four runs. Vidano added two hits along with three RBI's and Alvarez and Coston each drove in two as well. Ashworth also saw the ball well, finishing the afternoon 2-for-3.

Davis (4-1) was stellar on the hill in the victory, pitching eight innings, while allowing only one run and striking out four.

Averett returns to action on Sunday when it takes on Piedmont in the final game of the series at 2 p.m.