CARY, N.C. — Averett University softball lost a pair of close games on the opening day of the Triangle Classic on Friday. The Cougars were edged 2-1 by Maryville before falling 4-2 to Rowan University to finish the day.

In the nightcap, Averett (1-5) broke a scoreless tie in the top of the fourth inning. After freshman Ashley Carbajal singled and stole second base, she came home on junior Andrea Grant's RBI single down the right field line to give the Cougars a 1-0 lead on Rowan (2-0). The Profs answered back in the fifth with a two-run homer to go in front. Rowan extended its lead to 4-2 in the sixth thanks to back-to-back walks with the bases loaded.

Averett rallied in the top of the seventh. After sophomore Nicole Cauthen singled and junior Essence Pulliam was hit by a pitch, sophomore Casey Cook singled in freshman Shelby Couzzi, who had come on as a pinch runner for Cauthen. Down 4-2, the Cougars had the tying runs aboard with no outs. However, Rowan induced back-to-back fielder's choices to get the lead runners out at third base, followed by a game-ending groundout.

Averett scattered six hits by six different players against Rowan.

In the opener, Maryville jumped out in front 1-0 in the first inning. Averett tied it in second inning on Pulliam's solo homer. The tie held until the top of the fifth. The Scots got a two-out hit, stole second and eventually scored the go-ahead run on a grounder to shortstop.

Averett returns to action on Saturday when the Cougars face Lynchburg College and the Mississippi University for Women at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., respectively, at the Triangle Classic.