CARY, N.C. — Sophomore Kyle Vidano drove in three RBIs to lead the Averett University baseball team to a 10-2 victory over William Peace University in the rubber match contest on Sunday afternoon at the USA Baseball National Training Complex.

Averett (17-16, 7-8 USA South) pushed across four runs in its half of the eighth inning to cruise past William Peace (10-21, 2-12 USA South). Already ahead 5-2 entering the eighth, sophomore Dallas Smithers hit a two-run single up the middle to put the Cougars ahead by five. After a double steal put runners on second and third base, Vidano plated junior Hunter Ashworth and Smithers with a single to center field to make it a seven-run contest.

After senior right-hander Kyle Walsh and junior Cody Johnson teamed up to blank the Pacers in the middle of the eighth, the Cougars pushed across their 10th run in the top of the ninth on a RBI single from junior Trey Wall to build an eight-run advantage.

The Cougars wasted no time getting on the board in this game. Smithers walked to lead off the contest and Vidano chipped in with a single to put runners on the corners. Vidano promptly stole second on the next play and both he and Smithers scored on a single to left-center by senior Billy McLaughlin to help Averett stake a 2-0 lead heading into William Peace's half of the first.

Despite falling behind early, the Pacers added a run in the bottom of the first to cut their deficit in half. However, the Cougars answered back in the second when Wall knocked a single to left field that plated senior Drew Evans and extended Averett's lead to 3-1.

A two-run fourth allowed the Cougars to create some space. Ashworth recorded an RBI single to make it a three-run game and Vidano padded Averett's lead further when his ground out to first brought home Smithers to put the Cougars ahead 5-1.

Smithers had an exceptional performance at the plate, turning in a 3-for-4 outing and contributing a pair of RBIs. Smithers also scored three of Averett's 10 runs as well. Vidano added a pair of hits to go along with his three RBIs and Ashworth went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored.  Evans and Wall each contributed a pair of hits, while Wall drove in two runs. McLaughlin had a solid game as well, driving in two runs on two at-bats.

Walsh (4-2) went 7.2 innings on the mound, striking out two and only allowing one earned run. Johnson shut the door on William Peace, retiring all four batters he faced and striking out two.

The Cougars return home on April 6 to host non-conference foe Lynchburg College at 3 p.m. at Owen-Fulton Field. Averett defeated Lynchburg 7-6 earlier in the season.