LAGRANGE, Ga. — No. 21 Averett University ran past LaGrange College on the road with an 11-0 shutout and 15-4 blowout in five innings on Saturday afternoon to remain undefeated.
 
In the first game, Averett (24-0-1, 14-0 USA South) made its move in the top of third after getting put out quickly in the first and second inning, something that the team hasn't been accustomed to throughout the season. But that changed once junior Rhyan Scearce got to the plate. The first baseman homered to center field to put the Cougars on the scoreboard and ahead of the Panthers 1-0. With the bases loaded, Averett scored again when LaGrange pitcher Olivia Wolfe walked junior Mary Beth Smith to bring junior Jessye Crews home.
 
LaGrange (12-10, 7-7 USA South) had trouble hitting and advancing past second base to put the team in good scoring position while Averett continued to find success with its 15 hits. Senior Emily Dunford's 3 RBI double to centerfield gave the Cougars a five-run advantage in the fifth, and sophomore Jessica Long and junior Taylor Dix each hit a 2RBI homer in the seventh to shut out the Panthers 11-0.
 
Sophomore Samantha Hall went 4-for-5 with two runs and two stolen bases, and Smith went 3-for-4 with two RBIs. She also struck out five batters and is now 13-0.
 
Unlike the opener, the Cougars had 7-1 lead going into the third inning. After Dix singled through the through the left side to send Long home, Dunford doubled to left center to tack on two more runs for the Cougars and advance Smith to third base, who was walked prior to Dunford's hit.
 
Averett had a 4-0 after the top of the first, but the Panthers trimmed the Cougars' lead to 4-1 after capitalizing on a throwing error and wild pitch that allowed Danielle Newbern to run in. In the second inning, Dix, Smith and Dunford each snagged an RBI as Dix and Smith hit doubles and Dunford singled to total three runs and a six-run lead. Dunford led the Cougars going 4-for-4 with one double and five RBIs.
 
Both teams were scoreless in the third, and each had two runs in the fourth as LaGrange still trailed 9-3. Averett's six runs in the fifth inning stretched its lead to 15-3 to put the Cougars out of reach for the Panthers. Dix's single up the middle sparked the run for the Cougars as she sent home Crews and freshman Laura Young. Averett went through the entire lineup in the top of the fifth, and with two more singles to left field from Dunford and Crews the Cougars were able to gain the comfortable lead.
 
Dix went 4-for-4 with four RBIs and four runs while Hall finished 3-for-4 with three stolen bases and three runs. Junior pitcher Jessica Griffin struck out three batters in the bottom of the fifth to end the game and claim the win, improving to 8-0. She finished with seven strikeouts and 0 ERA.
 
Averett resumes conference play on Sunday at Huntingdon College in a doubleheader at 1 p.m.