CHESTERTOWN, Md. — Averett University softball edged non-conference foe Washington College (Md.) 4-3, but fell 4-2 in six innings after Game 2 was called early due to darkness on Wednesday evening.

Averett (11-11) won Game 1 by breaking a 2-2 tie in the top of the seventh inning with a two-out rally. Sophomore Essence Pulliam was hit by a pitch and then stole second to get into scoring position for sophomore Taylor Hodges, who singled up the middle to bring Pulliam in. Hodges eventually scored when freshman Kaitlyn Aherron drew a bases-loaded walk to put the Cougars ahead 4-2.

The extra run proved to be crucial as Washington (5-5) got within one on an RBI groundout in the bottom of the seventh. The Shorewomen nearly tied the game on a squeeze bunt, but freshman pitcher Taylor Bailey threw home to junior catcher Mackenzie Barrett in time to barely get Leah Stokes out at the plate for the second out. Bailey then induced a game-ending groundout to first.

Averett led 1-0 early after senior Jessica Long opened the game with a leadoff solo homer to left field. Aherron drove in Long during the third inning with her RBI double to left-center.

Washington got within 2-1 by scoring on a wild pitch in the third, and the Shorewomen tied the game at 2-2 in the fourth with an RBI single.

Long and Hodges led the Cougars in Game 1 with two hits apiece. Bailey (6-5) notched the win in the circle.

The Cougars didn't have the opportunity to produce another seventh-inning rally in Game 2 after darkness halted the game following the completion of the sixth inning with Washington leading 4-2. The start of the doubleheader was delayed by about 30 minutes due to a transportation issue for one of the umpires.

Washington jumped out to the early lead thanks to an RBI double in the first inning, and the Shorewomen went ahead 3-0 in the second inning on an RBI bunt single that brought home another run following an error.

Averett closed the gap to 3-2 in the top of the third frame on Aherron's two-run double down the left field line. Washington added another insurance run on an RBI groundout in the fourth inning.

Senior Samantha Hall finished 2-for-2 with a pair of stolen bases in Game 2 as Averett finished with five hits.

Averett returns to conference play when the Cougars travel to play Methodist University on Saturday.