LEXINGTON, Va. — Senior Kyle Walsh hurled a one-hit, complete-game shutout as the Averett baseball team crushed Washington & Lee University 8-0 on Wednesday at Dick Smith Field.
 
Walsh (1-1) kept Washington & Lee (10-5) on its toes all game only allowing a single, while striking out eight. Walsh also drove in two RBIs to help his cause.
 
Averett (4-6) used a three-run fifth inning to break open a 2-0 game. Junior Ramel Reynolds kicked off the frame with a single through the left side and sophomore Dallas Smithers followed with a single to put runners on first and second base with no outs. The Cougars got aggressive on the base paths and used a double steal to put runners on second and third moments later. A base hit from sophomore Kyle Vidano allowed Reynolds and Smithers to score, giving Averett a four-run advantage. Vidano stole second on the next play and senior Nic Futrell reached first on a hit by pitch. Both runners advanced 90-feet with another double steal. Seconds later, Walsh recorded an RBI sacrifice fly to center that scored Vidano, giving the Cougars a five-run cushion.
 
Not satisfied, Averett put up three runs in its half of the seventh to balloon its lead to eight. Futrell scored Vidano on a single up the middle and senior Billy McLaughlin plated Walsh with a double to left. The Cougars rounded out the scoring courtesy of a sacrifice fly by senior Noah Greenblatt.
 
The Cougars broke a scoreless tie in the top of the second. Junior Hunter Ashworth led off the frame with a single through the left side and reached second on a throwing error by the Generals. Two batters later, senior Drew Evans delivered a single to left to score Ashworth, giving Averett a one-run edge. The Cougars grabbed an insurance run in the second thanks to Walsh's sacrifice fly to right.
 
Vidano went 4-for-4 at the plate, while Ashworth and Evans picked up two hits a piece. Vidano and Evans combined to record five of Averett's season-high eight stolen bases.
 
Averett looks to increase its winning streak to three games when it hosts Southern Virginia University in a non-conference doubleheader on Saturday at Owen-Fulton Field. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m.