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Softball 5/9/2015 6:30:00 AM

NCAA GAME DAY: No. 21 Averett continues NCAA Regional play Saturday

2015 NCAA Division III Softball Regional May 8-10, 2015 \| Atlanta, Ga. Hosted by Emory University
Quick Links • NCAA Game Program • Driving Directions to Emory University • 2015 Averett Softball Media Guide
Atlanta Regional Schedule Friday, May 8 Game 1 – Averett 4, Emory 1 Game 2 – Emory 2, LaGrange 0	• Live Stats • Video Broadcast • Live Stats • Video Broadcast	• Box Score • Recap • Box Score • Recap
Saturday, May 9 Game 3 – Emory 1, Averett 0 Game 4 – Berry vs. LaGrange (1:30 p.m.) Game 5- Winner of Game 4 vs. Averett (4 p.m.)	• Live Stats • Video Broadcast • Live Stats • Video Broadcast • Live Stats • Video Broadcast	• Box Score • Recap • Box Score • Recap • Box Score • Recap
Sunday, May 10 Game 6 – Emory vs. Winner of Game 5 (12 p.m.) Game 7 – if necessary (2:30 p.m.)

Atlanta Regional Teams At A Glance No. 21 Averett University Cougars Record: 35-4-1 (22-1 USA South) How they got in: At-large berth from Pool C, which consisted of the 18 remaining teams from automatic qualifying conferences and the remaining institutions in Pool B (which includes independent institutions and institutions from conferences that do not meet the automatic qualification criteria). Season summary entering NCAAs: Averett won the USA South Conference regular season title and set program single-season records for overall and conference victories. Additionally, they earned a national ranking for the first time, peaking as high as 13th in the country during the regular season. Individually, the team had six players named to the USA South All-Conference Team, including USA South Player of the Year Taylor Dix and USA South Pitcher of the Year Mary Beth Smith. Fifth-year coach Bren Taylor earned USA South Coach of the Year honors as well. Averett's biggest win of the season came against then-fifth-ranked Christopher Newport University in early March, which was part of a 21-game winning streak. NCAA Regional: Defeated Berry 4-1 on Friday; Lost to Emory 1-0 on Saturday. Berry College Vikings Record: (32-7, 19-2 SAA) How they got in: Selected from Pool B, which includes independent institutions and institutions from conferences that do not meet the automatic qualification criteria. Season summary entering NCAAs: Berry is receiving votes in the latest NFCA Top 25 poll thanks to its current 13-game winning streak entering the NCAA Tournament. The team won the Southern Athletic Association and had nine all-conference selections, including SAA Player of the Year Kassie Howard, as well as coach Cori Thiermann being named SAA Coach of the Year. The Vikings have several big wins this season, including one victory over Emory University and three wins over Birmingham-Southern College, which was ranked in the NFCA Top 25 for several weeks before dropping out of the poll. NCAA Regional: Lost to Averett 4-1 on Friday. No. 7 Emory University Eagles Record: 33-7 (8-2 UAA) How they got in: Selected from Pool B, which includes independent institutions and institutions from conferences that do not meet the automatic qualification criteria. Season summary entering NCAAs: Currently ranked seventh in the country, Emory never found itself outside the top 16 in the NFCA poll all season long. The Eagles have numerous impressive wins over several teams that are currently ranked or that have been ranked at some point this season, including two victories versus the University of Rochester, two against Fontbonne University, one over the Washington University (Mo.) and one against Birmingham-Southern College. NCAA Regional: Defeated LaGrange 2-0 on Friday; Defeated Averett 1-0 on Saturday. LaGrange College Panthers Record: 25-15 (14-10 USA South) How they got in: Won the USA South Conference Tournament. Season summary entering NCAAs: After finishing fourth in the regular season standings, LaGrange got hot at the right time, winning its first three games in the USA South Conference Tournament — including a 3-2 win in 11 innings against Averett — to put itself in the championship series. Although the Panthers lost to William Peace University, they bounced back in the "if necessary" game to win 11-1 in five innings and earn the conference's automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament. LaGrange had four all-conference selections this season. The Panthers played several teams that were ranked at some point this season, but their only win against one of those squads while it was ranked came against Averett in extra innings in the conference tournament. The Panthers also beat Piedmont College, which began the year ranked. NCAA Regional: Lost to Emory 2-0 on Friday.

Averett's History in the NCAA Tournament NCAA Tournament Record: 1-3 NCAA Appearances: 2004 NCAA Tournament Results: Bethany 2, Averett 0 (2004 NCAA Regional in Salem, Va.); Emory 4, Averett 0 (2004 NCAA Regional in Salem, Va.); Averett 4, Berry 1 (2015 NCAA Regional in Atlanta, Ga.); Emory 1, Averett 0 (2015 NCAA Regional in Atlanta, Ga.)

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Players Mentioned

Taylor Dix

#20 Taylor Dix: SS; 5' 7"; Junior; L/R

Mary Beth Smith

#11 Mary Beth Smith: P/OF; 5' 7"; Junior; R/R

Players Mentioned

Taylor Dix

#20 Taylor Dix
: 5' 7"; Junior; L/R
: SS

Mary Beth Smith

#11 Mary Beth Smith
: 5' 7"; Junior; R/R
: P/OF