DANVILLE, Va. – The Averett University softball team split a conference doubleheader with Ferrum College on Saturday afternoon at Cougar Field. Averett fell 14-1 in five innings in the first matchup but redeemed itself in the second game with a 5-2 victory.
 
In the opener, Ferrum (15-9, 8-6 USA South) used seven runs in the third inning and five runs in the fourth to climb ahead 13-1 and eventually ended the game in five frames.
 
Despite the opening loss, Averett (18-13, 10-4 USA South) bounced back in the second game. The Cougars trailed 2-1 after the first inning, but senior Jessica Griffin hit a grand slam to left field with the bases loaded to put the Cougars ahead by three in the bottom of the third.
 
The homer was Griffin's first of the season, and she finished 2-for-3. Senior second baseman Taylor Dix and junior shortstop Jessica Long also went 2-for-3 as Long added a double and two runs while Dix added one run. Senior pitcher Mary Beth Smith snagged the win from the circle to improve to 14-6.
 
Averett returns to Cougar Field for its final home game of the season on Sunday, April 3, to host Mary Baldwin College during its Senior Day.