DANVILLE, Va. — Averett University softball swept a doubleheader from non-conference foe Eastern Mennonite University on Friday to secure a 20-win season while wrapping up the 2018 schedule. Averett won 5-3 and 6-2.
 
In the opener, Averett (21-24) overcame an initial 2-0 deficit in the bottom of the first inning. Senior Amanda Wright crushed a two-run double to the left field wall, and sophomore Nicole Cauthen drove her in with a bloop double to right-center, giving the Cougars a 3-2 advantage. Eastern Mennonite (19-17), however, managed to tie the game, 3-3, with a run in the second inning.
 
The Cougars went ahead for good in the bottom of the fourth. Sophomore Brianna Harris' heady base running scored from third on a popup to the shortstop a few steps onto the outfield grass. Wright then drove home sophomore Kaitlyn Aherron with an RBI single to center field.
 
Wright (2-1), meanwhile went the distance for a win in her final appearance in the circle. Wright and Cauthen each had two hits.
 
Averett never trailed in Game 2. The Cougars broke a scoreless tie in the third with a big inning thanks to six hits and three EMU errors. Freshman Ashley Carbajal got the frame started with a leadoff triple, and then came home on Wright's RBI single through the left side. Sophomore Breanna Murphy added an RBI single as well as the Cougars took a four-run lead.
 
The Royals got one run back immediately in the top of the fourth on Sam Breedon's pinch-hit, RBI single. Yet, Averett answered in the bottom of the inning with another run. Carbajal doubled and came home on Wright's RBI double to center.
 
Wright tacked on another RBI double in the sixth to give the Cougars a 6-1 lead. She finished her final collegiate game 4-for-4 with three RBIs and a run scored. Eastern Mennonite threatened in the top of the seventh, loading the bases. The Royals got one run on a bases-loaded walk to get within 6-2.
 
Freshman Makenzie Collins also had a solid Game 2, going 3-for-3. Carbajal also had two hits.
 
Freshman Dani Kahn (5-5) allowed just two runs while striking out seven to get the win in the circle.
 
The doubleheader concluded Averett's 2018 season.