Danville, Va. — The Averett University baseball team split a non-conference doubleheader with Penn State Harrisburg University on Sunday afternoon at Owen-Fulton Field. Averett's offense drove them to a 9-3 victory in the opener before falling 11-3 in the second game.

In the series opener, Averett (4-11) got off to an early lead scoring four runs in the first inning. Junior Dallas Smithers got the rally going with a single on a bunt causing a throwing error which scored freshman Chase McKinney.

Penn State Harrisburg (2-10) answered scoring three runs in the third inning. Zachary Koroneos singled through the right side scoring two of the three runs.

Averett's offense continued to prosper as the Cougars added two more runs in the third. They also added one run in the fourth when Smithers singled to left field scoring freshman Hunter LePrell. Later on, the Cougars scored their final two runs when freshman Adam George singled to right center.
 
Smithers led the Cougars with three hits, followed by senior Hunter Ashworth, junior Bradley Tickle, and George who all had one hit apiece.  

In Game 2, the Lions scored four runs in the third inning to give them the lead over the Cougars. Chris Iocca doubled down the left field line scoring two of the four runs for the Lions. Penn State Harrisburg increased their lead with two more runs in the fourth inning giving them the lead 6-0.

Though Averett never gave up, scoring three runs throughout the remainder of the game, Penn State Harrisburg was just able to stay on top.

Tickle completed the game with two hits with McKinney, Smithers, Ashworth, and sophomore Tyler Fetherolf each completed the game with one hit each.

Averett concludes the three-game series against Penn State Harrisburg at home on Monday at 1 p.m.