DANVILLE, Va. – The Averett University softball team split a conference doubleheader with LaGrange College on Saturday afternoon at Cougar Field. The Cougars snagged the opener 6-2 but fell short 8-5 in the final game.
 
Senior pitcher Mary Beth Smith nailed a two RBI homer to left center in Game 1 to help Averett (17-12, 9-3 USA South) hop in front of the Panthers in the first frame, setting the tone early. The Cougars' defense held LaGrange (12-11, 5-7 USA South) scoreless in all but one inning. After the Cougars gained a 3-0 in the bottom of the first, LaGrange managed to put up two runs in the third frame to close the gap, but even with nine hits, the Panthers struggled to bat their runners in as Averett continued to work its way home three more times.
 
Smith went 2-for-3 from the box to finish with three RBIs, and she claimed the win from the circle to improve to a 13-5 record. Senior first baseman Jessica Griffin also finished 2-for-3 and scored a run for the Cougars.
 
In the second game, Brooke Turner hit an RBI single to right field to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead in the third frame, and they capitalized on a throwing error to home plate that allowed them to tack on another run. Despite LaGrange's early advantage, Averett answered with two runs of its own, and the teams exchanged runs up until the seventh inning.
 
With the game tied at 4-4, LaGrange used a sacrifice fly and a double to pull out four runs and take the conference win.
 
Smith finished a perfect 4-for-4 with one RBI and one run while junior shortstop Jessica Long and senior right fielder Rhyan Scearce both went 3-for-4. Long crossed home plate twice for Cougars.
 
Averett returns to action on Saturday, April 2, to host Ferrum College in a conference doubleheader at 1 p.m.