ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. — The Averett University baseball team dropped the rubber match, 7-4, of a three-game series at N.C. Wesleyan College on Wednesday. The Cougars played as the home team as the game became postponed due to inclement weather over the weekend.
 
N.C. Wesleyan (15-16, 8-7 USA South) took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the second on an RBI-single from Cedrick Kornegay. Averett would tie things up in the bottom half of the third as junior Kyle Vidano scored on an error by the Battling Bishops third baseman. The tie would be short lived as the Battling Bishops picked up a run in the fourth and two runs in the fifth for the 4-1 advantage.
 
The Cougars would strike back in the sixth with a pair of runs to cut the deficit to one. Junior Matt Tuggle struck an RBI-single to left field before freshman Tyler Bianco hit a fly ball deep enough to center field for junior Neil Hutchens to come home on to make the score 4-3.
 
Each side scratched one run across in the eighth to run the score to 5-4. Averett scored its fourth run on an RBI-single to center from sophomore Hunter LePrell. Unfortunately, the Cougars would not get any closer as the Battling Bishops added two runs in the ninth and then closed out Averett in the bottom half for the 7-4 victory.
 
Hutchens finished the game 3-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored.
 
Averett opens up a three game set at home with William Peace on Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.