DEMOREST, Ga. — Averett University softball's three-run fifth inning proved to be the difference as the Cougars edged Centre College 3-2 to finish play Saturday at the Piedmont College Classic.

Scoreless through four innings, Averett (2-1) broke through on the scoreboard in the top of the fifth inning. Senior Taylor Hodges led off the frame with a single and advanced to second base on the throw. After she moved to third on a sacrifive bunt, junior Kaitlyn Aherron drove her in with a sacrifice fly to left field to put the Cougars in front 1-0. Following a single by freshman Anna Coleman, freshman Hannah Thompson crushed her first collegiate homer — a two-run blast to left-center — to extend Averett's lead to 3-0 over Centre (0-2).

Averett, however, would have to withstand an immediate response from the Colonels, who trimmed their deficit to 3-1 on a two-out RBI single in the bottom of the fifth. Centre closed within 3-2 in the bottom of the sixth on an two-out, RBI triple. Aherron slammed the door that inning, getting a strikeout to get the Cougars out of further trouble.

Centre got the tying run aboard in the bottom of the seventh, but once again Aherron ended it with a strikeout to preserve the win.

Thompson (1-0) also picked up her first career win in the circle, striking out four over 4.2 innings. Aherron (1) got the save with four strikeouts in the final 2.1 innings.

Hodges, Aherron, Thompson and Coleman accounted for Averett's four hits.

The Cougars are scheduled to return to action on Saturday, Feb. 23, at the Triangle Classoc in Cary, North Carolina.