VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Averett University softball lost a pair of games to No. 1 Virginia Wesleyan University on Tuesday. The two-time defending national champion Marlins won 5-0 and 4-1.

In the opener, Virginia Wesleyan (11-0) scored two runs in the top of the first inning on RBI singles. The Cougars held the Marlins in check until the fifth, when two more RBI singles made it 4-0. Virginia Wesleyan added a fifth run in the sixth on an RBI sac bunt.

Two-time defending national player of the year Hannah Hull remained unbeaten, allowing Averett (9-6) just two hits over seven innings.

Junior Taylor Bailey and freshman Anna Coleman each had a hit for the Cougars in Game 1.

Averett took a 1-0 lead on Virginia Wesleyan in Game 2. Junior Kaitlyn Aherron drew a leadoff walk, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and then game home on freshman Hannah Thompson's RBI double to left-center.

The Cougars' lead held until the bottom of the fifth. After a leadoff single, Jessica Goldyn smacked a go-ahead, two-run homer. The Marlins added a two-run double later in the inning to extend their lead to 4-1.

Hull earned the save in relief of Caria Hall, who got the win in the circle.

Averett travels to Ferrum College for a 5 p.m. doubleheader on Wednesday.