Box Score DANVILLE, Va. — The Averett University Baseball team defeated conference foe Ferrum College 5-4 in a nail-biter finish on Saturday afternoon at Owen-Fulton Field.

Ferrum (19-14, 12-5 USA South) got on the board first when Kyle Anstice hit a sac-fly to score Grey Sherfery in the first inning. In the top of the third the Panthers added another run to the board when Ty Comer scored on a Cougar error.

Averett (9-25, 4-13 USA South) fought back in the bottom of the sixth when junior Dallas Smithers knocked in freshman Chase McKinney and senior Hunter Ashworth with a double to right center field. In root to stealing third base, a throwing error by Ferrum's catcher allowed Smithers to score and put the Cougars in the lead.

In the bottom of the seventh freshman Hunter LePrell singled to left field scoring freshman Adam George. Averett's sophomore pitcher Matt Tuggle was the key to holding the Cougars defense together.   Continued to hold the Panthers and scored again in the bottom of the eighth when senior Trey Wall singled down the right field line for Ashworth to be batted in.

The Panthers scored two runs in the top of the ninth but it wasn't enough against the Cougar defense to give Averett the win.

Averett sophomore pitcher Matt Tuggle was the key to holding the Cougars defense together,   allowing only four hits with five strike-outs to complete his seven innings.

Freshman Zack DeCarlo and Ashworth each had two hits for the Cougars. LePrell, Smithers, Wall, McKinney, George and freshman Corey Wall each had one hit a piece.

Averett finishes its season on Sunday as the Cougars host their Senior Day against the Panthers in Game 3 of the conference series at 1 p.m.