DANVILLE, Va. — Averett University softball opened USA South Conference play by taking two games from Methodist University on Sunday at Cougar Field. Averett crushed the Monarchs 9-1 in six innings, then held on for a 5-3 victory in Game 2.

After easily winning the opener, Averett (7-8, 2-0 USA South) had to battle from behind to take the second half of the doubleheader. With Methodist (3-7, 1-3 USA South) ahead 3-1 through three innings, the Cougars broke through for three runs in the fourth inning. Freshman pinch hitter Kristyn Owen came through big two-out, two-run double to left-center to tie the game at 3-3. Later in the frame, with the bases loaded, freshman Essence Pulliam scored on a wild pitch to put Averett back in front, 4-3.

Averett added an insurance run in the sixth inning after junior Jessica Long crushed a triple to right-center and then scored on senior Taylor Dix's safety squeeze bunt.

Methodist threatened in the seventh inning after getting runners on first and second with one out, but the Cougars ended the game thanks to a flyout to center field and threw in to second base to get the runner, who left too early on the tag while attempting to move to third base.

Averett opened with a 1-0 lead when Long scored on a wild pitch in the first inning before the Monarchs scored two in the second inning and one in the third.

Long finished 3-for-3 with two runs scored in Game 2 to complete a perfect day at the plate while raising her batting average to .518 for the season. She also went 3-for-3 in Game 1 with three runs scored and one RBI. Over the two games, Long finished 5-for-5 in stolen base attempts.

Averett cruised in the opener. Ahead 1-0, the Cougars extended their lead to 5-0 on RBI singles by Long and Dix and a two-run double by senior Rhyan Scearce. After both teams traded a run in the fourth inning, Averett finished off Methodist with three runs in the sixth to end the game early.

Dix went 3-for-4 in Game 1 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Sophomore Amanda Wright also had two hits, including the walk-off RBI single in the sixth inning.

Senior right-hander Mary Beth Smith pitched three innings of one-hit ball with four strikeouts before Owen came in in relief. Owen (1-4) notched her first career victory in the circle, allowing just one run on three hits with two strikeouts over the final three innings.

Smith (6-3) got the win in Game 2, however, after going 6 1/3 innings while striking out eight and allowing only one earned run. Senior Jessica Griffin came in to get the final two outs and earn her first save.

Averett begins a 10-game road trip on Wednesday when the Cougars travel to N.C. Wesleyan College for a 2 p.m. doubleheader.