DANVILLE, Va. — The Averett University baseball team extended their winning streak to two on Thursday afternoon with their 5-4 victory over University of Mary Washington.

Averett (5-13) plated two runs in the bottom of the eighth to take a 5-3 lead over Mary Washington (5-6). Senior Bradley Tickle came to bat with runners on second and third with two outs on the board. The Keeling, Virginia native hit a grounder to first that the Eagle first baseman threw away that allowed both Averett runners to come home and score. Mary Washington was able to scratch one run across in the top of the ninth before Tyler Ray grounded out to senior Dallas Smithers to give the Cougars the 5-4 win.

The Eagles won the race to the scoreboard as Mary Washington grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the second on an RBI-single from Daniel Ortiz. Junior Matt Tuggle responded with an RBI-single of his own in the bottom of the third to tie the game at one.

Both pitchers kept their opponent off the scoreboard in the next three innings. However, runs were scored in the next three half innings to bring the game level at three. Mary Washington took their second lead of the game in the seventh on an RBI-groundout from David Slupek. The Cougars scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh to snatch their first lead of the game at 3-2. Smithers collected an RBI-groundout that scored junior Kyle Vidano from third to tie the score at two. Two consecutive singles from Tuggle and junior Neil Hutchens put runners on first and second with two outs. After a wild pitch advanced the runners 90 feet, sophomore Cody Jones reached safely on an Eagle fielding error that allotted Tuggle to come home and score. Nicholas Bass registered an RBI-single to center in the top of the eighth to tie the game at three.

The Cougars would bounce back in the bottom half of the eighth with a pair of runs which proved to be the difference maker as Averett went on to win, 5-4.

Freshman Tanner Bradshaw made his first collegiate start on Thursday and went seven innings, gave up nine hits, allowed two runs (one earned) while recording two strikeouts and two walks. Fellow freshman Dillon Touchard was credited with the win in relief and Smithers was given the save which is his second on the season.

Tuggle went 2-for-4 from the plate with a run scored and an RBI. Smithers finished the game 1-for-4 with one RBI.

Averett returns to action on Friday, March 9, when they open a three game series against Pfeiffer University at home. First pitch is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.