ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. — No. 4 seed Averett University softball defeated No. 5 seed Ferrum College 3-2 Friday morning in the first round of the USA South Conference Tournament at the Rocky Mount Sports Complex.
 
Averett (23-15) advanced in the double-elimination tournament to play at 1 p.m. Friday against No. 1 see Piedmont College, which won 1-0 over William Peace University earlier.

Ferrum (19-16) gained an early 1-0 in the first inning, but senior Mary Beth Smith came through for Averett in the bottom of the third. With two outs, Smith crushed a three-run homer to put the Cougars ahead 3-1.

The Panthers tried to make a comeback in the fifth inning. A leadoff walk and back-to-back errors helped Ferrum load the bases with no outs. Smith almost got out of the jam unharmed following a strikeout and an infield pop-up. However, a wild pitch allowed Ferrum to get within 3-2. A walk loaded the bases again, but Smith induced a flyout to end the inning.

Smith allowed just two hits and two runs — both unearned — while striking out six in the complete-game victory. Smith and senior Jessica Griffen each had two hits to lead the Cougars' offense.