FERRUM, Va. — The Averett University baseball team lost 5-2 to Ferrum College on Saturday at Panther Field.

Ferrum (24-10, 14-3 USA South) used a three-run bottom of the first inning to erase an early one-run deficit. The Panthers used a double and a pair of walks to load the bases with one out. Jo Stickney stepped up and knocked a three-run double to right-center field that cleared the bases and gave Ferrum a 3-1 advantage after one inning.

Averett (18-18, 8-10 USA South) took an early advantage, picking up a run in its first at-bat. Sophomore Kyle Vidano kicked things off with a single to center and advanced to second base on an error. Vidano advanced to third on a groundout. Vidano came home moments later when sophomore Dallas Smithers lifted a sacrifice fly to left that gave the Cougars an early 1-0 advantage.

Trailing 3-1 entering the top of the fifth, the Cougars picked up a run to close their deficit to one. With two outs, junior Trey Wall stepped up and crushed a ball to left that made it a one-run advantage. However, that wouldn't be enough as the Panthers picked up a run in the sixth and the eighth to lead to the final score.

Senior Billy McLaughlin paced Averett with a 2-for-3 performance at the plate. Vidano, junior Hunter Ashworth, and Smithers each picked up base hits as well.

Senior right-hander Joshua Hatcher struck out a career-high 14 batters in the complete-game performance.

The Cougars conclude their three-game set with the Panthers tomorrow at 3 p.m. at Panther Field.