FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — The Averett University baseball team dropped a back-and-forth 4-3 extra-inning battle with Methodist University Monday afternoon in USA South Conference action.
 
The Monarchs benefited from a one out single in the bottom of the 10th inning that put a runner at first base. Methodist (10-2, 3-0 USA South) sacrifice bunted the runner to second, also reaching first on an infield single. However, a single up the middle plated the winning run from second.
 
Methodist pushed a run across in the first to take an early 1-0 advantage over the Cougars. However, Averett (1-11, 0-6 USA South) tied the game at 1-1 in the top of the third when freshman Jason Maggs doubled down the right field line and later scored on a wild pitch. 
 
The Monarchs regained the lead in the bottom half of the inning, but the Cougars would not go quietly scoring two runs in the top of the sixth inning. Sophomore Tanner Bradshaw scored the first run of the inning on a throwing error by the Monarchs following a single by freshman Brandon Hatcher. Hatcher stole home for the second run on a double steal by the Cougars as sophomore Ryan Traylor also stole second safely. 
 
The Cougars lead was short lived, however as Methodist added the tying run in the bottom half of the inning to even the game a 3-3. 
 
Hatcher paced the Cougars on the afternoon finishing 1-4 at the plate, driving in one run and scoring another, while Maggs, Bradshaw, Traylor and junior Chase McKinney added hits for Averett. 
 
Sophomore Kyle Lamantia got the start of Averett on the mound pitching 3 2/3 innings, surrendering just a single run while striking out three. Senior Dillon Roberts and junior George Roos pitched well in relief for the Cougars as Roberts threw 2 2/3 innings striking out two and allowing just two hits. Roos would pitch 2 2/3 innings as well, scattering three hits and striking out one to push the game to extra innings. 
 
The Cougars return back to action Tuesday as they travel to Ferrum, Virginia for a 4 p.m. battle with Ferrum College.