DANVILLE, Va — The Averett University baseball team dropped an 8-1 decision to Roanoke College Tuesday afternoon in non-conference action at Owen-Fulton Field.

The Maroons entered play Tuesday currently receiving votes in the d3baseball.com poll.

Roanoke (1-2, 0-0 ODAC) kicked off the afternoon scoring in the top of the second inning scoring three runs to take an early 3-0 lead.

Sophomore Ben Kimberlin entered in relief for senior Matt Tuggle who pitched the opening two innings, Kimberlin pitched a scoreless top of the third inning, not allowing a hit to hold the deficit at 3-0.

Senior Dillon Roberts took the mound for the Cougars in the top of the fourth inning, allowing just one hit while not allowing a run in one inning of work.

The Maroons added two runs in the top of the fifth to increase their lead to 5-0, before scoring one run in the seventh and two runs again in the eight to take a commanding 8-0 lead.

Averett (1-8, 0-3 USA South) got on the board in the bottom of the ninth as sophomore Tyler Bianco pinch hit for the Cougars, doubling down the right field line with one out in the inning. Sophomore Ryan Traylor plated Bianco on an RBI single through the right side that jumped over the glove of Roanoke's second baseman allowing Bianco to score.

Junior Nick Winston and senior Kyle Vidano stole bases for the Cougars on the afternoon, while juniors Sawyer Smith and Adam George both threw scoreless innings of relief for Averett.

Traylor finished the game 2-4 from the plate, while Winston sophomore Tanner Bradshaw, junior Andrew Lancaster and Bianco all added hits for the Cougars.

The Cougars return to the diamond this coming weekend as they travel to Methodist University for a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 1 p.m.