DANVILLE, Va. – Hampden-Sydney College used a 10-run fourth inning to break open a close game and held on from there to pick up a 14-7 victory over the Averett University baseball team on Tuesday at Owen-Fulton Field.
 
Ahead by one entering the fourth frame, Hampden-Sydney (5-3) used a two-run double from John Lloyd to extend its lead to 4-1. An RBI single by Reggie Johnson increased the Tigers' lead to four and a two-run single to center field by Tyler Blevins gave Hampden-Sydney a six-run cushion. From there, the Tigers took advantage of Averett walks and delivered timely hits to build a 12-1 advantage after three-and-a-half.
 
Despite giving up the big fourth inning, Averett (2-4) struck back with two runs in the bottom of the fifth to cut its deficit down to nine. Junior Hunter Ashworth led off with a double to put a runner in scoring position for senior Noah Greenblatt. Greenblatt crushed a triple to third that brought Ashworth home and a Hampden-Sydney error allowed Greenblatt to score on the same play, making it a 12-3 ball game.
 
Still chipping away at their deficit, the Cougars got another run back in their half of the sixth. McLaughlin led off the frame with a double to right and advanced to third on a groundout by sophomore Kyle Vidano. Two batters later, senior Kyle Walsh crushed an RBI double to left-center that pulled Averett within eight at 12-4.
 
Additionally, Averett also picked up a pair of runs in the eighth to make it a seven-run game. Walsh got things going with a triple to center and later scored on Greenblatt's RBI single to right-center. Seconds later, junior Ramel Reynolds brought home Ashworth with a fielder's choice to the shortstop, leaving the Cougars trailing 14-7.
 
Walsh and Greenblatt paced Averett offensively with each recording two hits and driving in a combined three runs.
 
On the mound, junior relief pitcher James Culbreth turned in a sold performance, scattering only three hits and striking out three in 3.1 innings of work. Also, sophomore Dallas Smithers was effective in relief for the Cougars, striking out two in two innings and only allowing four hits in his first appearance on the hill for Averett.
 
Averett struck first, posting a run in its half of the first to take an early lead. Smithers led off the frame with a double to right-center and moved up to third on senior Billy McLaughlin's sacrifice bunt back to the pitcher. One batter later, Vidano brought Smithers home with an RBI groundout to short that gave the Cougars a one-run advantage.
 
After keeping the Cougars off the board in the second, Hampden-Sydney recorded a pair of runs in the third to pull in front. The Tigers used a pair of walks and a batter hit by pitch to load the bases with no outs. An Averett fielding error allowed two runs to score and gave Hampden-Sydney its first lead of the game.
 
Averett opens USA South Conference play on Friday when it hosts N.C. Wesleyan College in the first of a three-game series at 2:30 p.m. at Owen-Fulton Field.