FAYETTVILLE, N.C.  — No. 23 Methodist University defeated Averett University baseball 10-2 in conference action on Sunday afternoon.
 
Methodist (26-8, 18-6 USA South) broke open the game with a five-run seventh inning to take a 10-0 advantage over Averett (22-10, 16-8 USA South).  The Monarchs added their first run of the inning of a throwing error by the Cougars and plated another run thanks to an RBI single through the right side by Chris Power to put Methodist ahead by seven. After an infield single, a fielder's choice, and walk loaded the bases for Methodist, Ray Lanners was hit by a pitch to score the Monarchs' eighth run of the game. Methodist brought home two extra runs on another Averett error and a passed ball to balloon its lead to 10.
 
Refusing to be shutout, Averett put its first runs of the game on the board in its half of the eighth. The Cougars added their first run of the game when junior Mike Moore's double down the left field line scored senior Nic Futrell to cut Averett's deficit down to nine. The Cougars made it 10-2 in the ninth when senior Taylor Davis banged out an RBI single through the right side to score freshman Kyle Vidano. However, that's as close as Averett would get.
 
Davis had a good day at the plate, recording two hits and fellow seniors Timothy Coston and Kevin Alvarez each chipped in with two hits as well. Moore and Davis each added an RBI on the afternoon as well.
 
Averett takes the field again when it travels to Zebulon, North Carolina, on April 17 to take on conference foe Maryville College at 11 a.m. in the first match of a three-game series.