WILSON, N.C. — The No. 8 seed Averett University baseball team used a magical four-run eighth inning to erase a three-run deficit, but it wasn't enough as Averett fell to second-seeded LaGrange College 6-5 in a USA South Conference Tournament elimination game on Friday at Fleming Stadium.

Trailing 4-1 entering the top of the eighth, Averett (19-22) found its offensive rhythm. Back-to-back singles from junior Hunter Ashworth and senior Billy McLaughlin put runners on first and second base with one out. After a walk to senior Nic Futrell loaded the bases, senior Drew Evans cleared them with a double down the left field line. Sophomore Dallas Smithers reached first on a six-pitch walk and senior Kyle Walsh brought Evans in from second with a single to right to give the Cougars their first lead.

LaGrange (29-12) didn't go quietly in its half of the eighth. A five-pitch walk to Tavin Thompson put the tying run in scoring position and Thompson advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. The Panthers' next at-bat saw Cain Sauls tie the game at 5-5 with a double to left-center. Three batters later, Blaine Swift drove in the eventual game-winning run with a single to left.

The Panthers took an early 1-0 advantage in the bottom of the first inning on an RBI single from Sauls. LaGrange picked up its second run of the game when Casey Bell knocked a single out to right that allowed Keith Sims to score.

Averett fought back and cut its deficit in half in the top of the sixth. Ashworth knocked a one-out single to left and moved up 90 feet when he stole second base. Futrell brought Ashworth home with a base hit down the line in left to make it 2-1. The Panthers answered back in the bottom of the sixth with a RBI single by Sauls to extend their lead to two.

LaGrange had a chance to put the game away in the bottom of the seventh. Blake Butcher walked to lead off the frame and Chad Pigg advanced him 90 feet with a sacrifice bunt. An RBI single pushed the Panthers' advantage to three with only one out. A walk and a single put two runners on for the Panthers, but senior right-hander Joshua Hatcher got Sims to strike out to end the threat.

Evans finished his collegiate career in fashion, driving in three runs on two hits. Futrell picked up an RBI and scored and Smithers went 2-for-3. Junior Trey Wall picked up two hits in four at-bats.

Hatcher struck out eight in seven innings on the mound.