DANVILLE, Va. — Blake Butcher drove in three runs to lead LaGrange College past the Averett University baseball team 7-3 in the first of a three-game USA South Conference series on Friday at Owen-Fulton Field.

Butcher went 2-for-5 at the plate for LaGrange (14-10, 6-4 USA South) and recorded a two-run double that gave the Panthers a 4-0 advantage after five innings.

After giving up a pair of runs in the top of the sixth, Averett (10-11, 2-5 USA South) responded with a trio of runs in its half of the sixth to cut a 6-0 deficit in half. Junior Trey Wall got things rolling for the Cougars with a single to left-center field and sophomore Dallas Smithers followed with a single to right-center to put men on first and second base with no outs. Sophomore Kyle Vidano moved both runners up with a sacrifice bunt and Wall came around to score on senior Nic Futrell's RBI groundout to put the Cougars on the board. On its next at bat, Averett used an RBI single to left by senior Kyle Walsh to plate its second run of the game. Not satisfied, the Cougars cut the Panthers' lead in half courtesy of a single by junior Hunter Ashworth that scored Walsh and made it 6-3.

Already ahead by four, LaGrange picked up two runs in the sixth to break open the game. A bases loaded walk gave the Panthers their fifth tally of the contest. LaGrange took a six-run advantage moments later when a batter hit by pitch allowed Joe Pradat to score.

Not wasting any time, LaGrange jumped out on top in the first when Chad Pigg knocked an RBI single to plate the Panthers' first run. LaGrange gained a valuable insurance run in the fourth on Joe Pradat's double down the left field line to take a 2-0 advantage. Butcher struck in the fifth, bringing home two of his game-high three RBIs on a two-run double that gave the Panthers a four-run cushion heading into the bottom of the fifth. LaGrange used a solo home run to right-center by Butcher in the ninth to lead to the final score.

Junior right-hander James Culberth was solid for Averett in relief duties. He retired seven straight batters and stuck out two in 1.1 innings of work. Junior Cody Johnson closed out the game, working two innings, while striking out two and only allowing three hits.

Eric Morell (6-1) picked up the win, working six innings and striking out five. Jonathan Fleckenstein retired nine consecutive batters to pick up his first save of the season.

The Cougars return to action tomorrow as they host LaGrange for a conference doubleheader starting at 11:30 a.m. at Owen-Fulton Field.