ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. — The Averett University softball team swept N.C. Wesleyan College 2-0 on Wednesday afternoon at Edge Field. The Cougars clinched the final game in a close 6-5 contest after snagging the first game 10-4.
 
In the second matchup, Averett (9-8) trailed 4-1 after N.C. Wesleyan (5-7) scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth. Despite falling behind, the Cougars began to answer with RBI singles from sophomore first baseman Amanda Wright and freshman catcher Andrea Grant to close the gap 4-3. Later on, freshman Brooke Cassada was issued a walk with the bases loaded that allowed Averett to tack on another run and tie the game at 4-4. With two outs, junior shortstop Jessica Long singled through the left side to score freshman pitcher Kristyn Owen, regaining the lead at 5-4. Earlier on Wednesday, Long became the first player in program history to be named Louisville Slugger/National Fastpitch Coaches Association National Player of the Week.  
 
Averett secured a two-run lead going into the seventh inning, but the Cougars got three quick outs before they could score anymore, giving the Battling Bishops a chance to catch up. N.C. Wesleyan notched a run with only one out, however, immediately after, Averett sealed the win with two consecutive outs.
 
Long and Wright went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI each. Owen snagged her second victory from the pitching circle while senior pitcher Mary Beth Smith recorded the save facing eight batters and also finished with a double.
 
In the first matchup of the doubleheader, N.C. Wesleyan scored four runs in the second inning to similarly take an early 4-1 lead, but Averett bounced back in the fourth frame all while keeping the Battling Bishops from scoring more runs for the remainder of the game. With two outs and runners on first and second, Long nailed an RBI single to left center, sending home freshman outfielder Taylor Hodges to knot the game at 4-4 just as she did in the second game.
 
Wright put the Cougars ahead 5-4 in the top of the fifth when she crushed her first home run of the season to left center as Averett continued to pile on runs. The Cougars scored four more in the sixth, and Smith claimed the win to improve to 7-3.
 
Grant finished with two doubles while senior second baseman Taylor Dix added one of her own. Owen went 2-for-3 with runs scored and one RBI.
 
Averett returns to action on Saturday, March 12, to face Roanoke College in a non-conference doubleheader on the road at 1 p.m.