ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. — Averett University softball lost a pair of road conference games to N.C. Wesleyan College on Sunday. The Battling Bishops won 2-1 and 8-4 over the Cougars.

In the opener, Averett (17-10, 2-4 USA South) tied the game 1-1 in the top of the fourth on junior Nicole Cauthen's RBI single to right field. However, N.C. Wesleyan (14-5, 8-0 USA South) inched ahead with an RBI single in the bottom of the sixth and held on.

Cauthen finished with two of Averett's three hits in Game 1.

N.C. Wesleyan, which is riding a 12-game winning streak following Sunday's two wins, also led 3-0 early in Game 2. Yet, Averett rallied for four runs in the top of the fifth to jump in front 4-3. Freshman Hannah Thompson's RBI single got the Cougars on the scoreboard, and later in the inning, Cauthen crushed a three-run blast to put Averett ahead by one run.

The lead was short-lived as N.C. Wesleyan answered with five runs on seven hits in the bottom of the inning to go back in front, 8-4.

Cauthen finished with two hits in the second game to give her four total for the day.

Averett returns to action on Wednesday when the Cougars host Meredith College.