DANVILLE, Va. — Senior T.J. Viracola recorded his first career shutout and threw a complete game as the Averett University baseball team kicked off its 2016 campaign with a 4-0 win over Marymount University on Friday at Owen-Fulton Field.

Viracola (1-0) fired on all cylinders, using a nasty combination of speed and breaking pitches on his way to a four-hit, six-strikeout performance.

Averett (1-0) broke open a pitcher's duel in the eighth inning. Senior Noah Greenblatt got things started with a one-out single up the middle and sophomore Kyle Vidano followed with a single through the right side. Junior Ramel Reynolds, who had been called in to pinch run for Greenblatt, was attempting to go to third base from first on Vidano's single and collided with the Saints' shortstop. Reynolds was allowed to move to third safely, while Vidano was allowed to move to second. After a Marymount pitching change, sophomore Dallas Smithers stepped up and knocked a crucial two-run double to left field that plated the game's first runs. The Cougars added a pair of insurance runs thanks to an RBI double from junior Hunter Ashworth and a RBI sacrifice bunt by senior Drew Evans to build a four-run advantage after eight.

Despite falling behind late, Marymount (0-1) almost found a way to come back on its next at bat. The Saints used a Cougars error and a double to left to put runners on second and third with no outs. With two runners in scoring position, the Saints decided to put on the safety squeeze. Nick Smutko got the bunt down, but Ryan Blake hesitated when he got halfway down the third base line. Viracola fielded the ball and chased Blake back down at third. At the same time, Conner Hall had tried to advance to third on the play and as a result, he was tagged out trying to get back to second. The Cougars then tagged out Blake to complete the double play after he injured himself diving back to third and was not touching the bag.

Offensively, Averett was paced by Smithers who went 2-for-4, including the crucial two-run double in his first game as a Cougar. Evans and Ashworth also drove in a run apiece in the victory.

The Cougars return to the field again on Feb. 17 when they host Bridgewater College at 2:30 p.m. at Owen-Fulton Field in non-conference action.