LAGRANGE, Ga. — Averett University softball was eliminated from the USA South Conference Tournament with a 6-5 loss to Meredith College on Saturday at the Shuford Softball Complex.

East Division No. 2 seed Meredith (25-14) got out of a two-out, bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the seventh to end East No. 3 seed Averett's tournament run while the Avenging Angels advanced in the loser's bracket of the double-elimination tournament.

Down 6-4 entering the bottom of the seventh inning, Averett (19-22) put pressure on Meredith, the No. 2 seed in the East. Senior Amanda Wright singled and sophomore Nicole Cauthen walked to put two runners aboard with no outs. However, Meredith induced a double play to erase the lead runner. Yet, Averett didn't go away. Freshman Makenzie Collins was hit by a pitch to put two on for sophomore Casey Cook, who hit a single down the left field line, which scored Cauthen from second.

Sophomore Brianna Harris drew a pinch-hit walk to load the bases, putting the tying run on third and the winning run on second. But Meredith got a game-ending groundout to first base to hold off the Cougars' late rally.

Meredith struck first, taking a 1-0 lead on an RBI single in the top of the first. Yet, Averett answered in the bottom half of the inning on junior Andrea Grant's two-run double to left-center, which put the Cougars in front 2-1. The Avenging Angels tied in the third on a bases-loaded walk.

Grant struck again in the fifth, crushing a two-run homer to left field as Averett went ahead 4-2.

Meredith made its move in the top of the sixth to take the lead. The Avenging Angels led off the frame with three consecutive singles to load the bases. Erica Occena tied the game with a two-run single to left field. Meredith took a 5-4 on a wild pitch, then added a crucial insurance run on Kelsey Mabe's RBI infield single.

Wright and Grant finished with two hits apiece.

Although the loss ends Averett's tournament run, the Cougars' season will continue with a non-conference home doubleheader on Tuesday against Lynchburg College.