DANVILLE, Va. — Castleton University used a seven-run seventh inning to defeat the Averett University baseball team 12-5 on Saturday at Owen-Fulton Field.

Trailing 5-3 entering the seventh, Castleton (2-3) used a two-run double to center field to tie the game at 5-5. Moments later, a walk to Jim Buckley gave the Spartans the go-ahead run. Matt Jackson followed with an RBI single to center and Nick Patierne's RBI fielder's choice provided Castleton with two important insurance runs that gave it a three-run lead. The Spartans would tack on four more runs in the inning to help establish space. Castleton added a run in both the eighth and ninth to arrive at the final score.

After giving up the game's first run in the top of the first, Averett (1-3) struck back in the bottom of the second to pull ahead. Senior Billy McLaughlin reached first after he was hit by a pitch with one out. One batter later, senior Kyle Walsh crushed an RBI triple to right to score McLaughlin and tie the game at 1-1. From there, the Cougars got aggressive on the base paths as Walsh stole home to give Averett its first lead of the game.

The Cougars used a two-run third to help create some space. Sophomore Kyle Vidano kicked things off with a single down the right field line and sophomore Dallas Smithers followed with a double to put runners on second and third base with one out. One batter later, Spartans' pitcher Luke Salerno balked and Smithers moved to third, while Vidano scored to give Averett a 3-1 edge.  The Cougars rounded out the scoring thanks to an RBI fielder's choice from junior Hunter Ashworth.

Averett increased its lead to four in the fourth when Vidano crushed an RBI double to right-center to make it 5-1 after four.

Despite finding themselves in a big hole halfway through the game, the Spartans got their rally started in the sixth. Buckley's RBI single through the right side cut Castleton's deficit down to three and Zach Bahan got the Spartans within two, 5-3, with his RBI sacrifice fly to right.

Walsh was solid offensively for the Cougars, collecting three hits and driving in a run. Smithers and Vidano each chipped in with two hits for Averett.

The Cougars return to action on Sunday when they host non-conference foe Guilford College at 1 p.m. at Owen-Fulton Field.