MARYVILLE, Tenn. — The Averett University baseball team split a USA South Conference doubleheader against Maryville College on Saturday at Scotland Yard. The Cougars defeated the Scots 6-4 in the first game before a dropping a 5-4, 11-inning heartbreaker in the nightcap.

Game 2 ended in dramatic fashion. With the bases loaded and no outs, Maryville's Logan Jenkins knocked a single through the right side that brought home the game-winning run and allowed the Scots to avoid the doubleheader sweep.

The previous inning saw Averett (9-10, 2-4 USA South) use a pair of singles from seniors Kyle Walsh and Billy McLaughlin to put runners on the corners with one out. The Cougars tried a squeeze bunt to advance the runners, but the bunt attempt was popped up to the pitcher and the Scots were able to complete the double play to end Averett's threat.

The Cougars put together a three-run sixth to knot the score. Walsh kicked off the frame with a walk and moved into scoring position on a single up the middle from junior Hunter Ashworth. On its next at-bat, senior Drew Evans smashed a double down the right field line that allowed Walsh to score, making it 4-2. After a Scots' pitching change, senior Mike Moore scored Ashworth on a ground out to the short stop, and the Cougars were in business. Seconds later, senior Noah Greenblatt singled home Evans to tie the score at 4-4. Pitching kicked in from there and neither team was able to get on the board again until Jenkins' walk-off RBI single.

A two-out single from senior Nic Futrell in the top of the third broke a scoreless tie and gave the Cougars a 1-0 edge. Maryville (16-4, 7-2 USA South) answered back in its half of the third with an RBI sacrifice fly out to tie the game.

The Scots used a pair of singles and a walk got something cooking for the Scots in the bottom of the fourth. Maryville took a two-run lead when Evan Ezell brought home two runs with his single to right. Seconds later, Greg Vourloumis gave his team a three-run cushion when he stole home.

Sophomore Kyle Vidano and Futrell each went 2-for-5 in the second game. Walsh also picked up a pair of hits as well.

Senior right-hander Joshua Hatcher (2-0) struck out nine in 8.1 innings of work.

In Game 1, Averett entered its half of the eighth inning clinging to a 4-3 lead. However, a pair of runs in the inning gave the Cougars a three-run advantage. A single by junior Hunter Ashworth gave Averett its first base runner of the frame with one out. Senior Drew Evans was hit by a pitch moments later and junior Trey Wall moved Ashworth and Evans into scoring position with a groundout. Seconds later, senior Noah Greenblatt drove in two of his game-high three RBIs on a single up the middle to make it a 6-3 game.

The two runs proved to be crucial as Maryville picked up a run in the bottom of the eighth that would have tied the score.  With a runner on second and two outs, the Scots' Johnny Carpenter dropped an RBI single to left field that got Maryville within two (6-4). With the tying run at the plate, sophomore right-handed relief pitcher Dallas Smithers shut down Zach Blonder to help the Cougars preserve their lead heading into the final frame.

Averett came out of the gate strong on offense, taking a 1-0 lead in the first when Smithers scored on a throwing error by Maryville. After picking up a run in both the second and third, the Cougars gained a four-run cushion in the fourth thanks to an RBI single up the middle by Greenblatt.

Greenblatt picked up a pair of hits to go with his three RBIs, while Ashworth, sophomore Kyle Vidano and senior Kyle Walsh each picked up two hits apiece to help lead the Cougars' offense.

Walsh (3-1) worked five innings on the mound, while contributing to his cause with an RBI single in the third. Smithers worked an impressive four innings in relief, only allowing four hits and one unearned run to pick up his second save of the season.

The Cougars return to action on March 17 when they travel to Salem, Virginia, to take on Roanoke College at 7 p.m.