DANVILLE, Va. — The Averett University baseball team earned a 2-1 walk-off victory in the bottom of the ninth inning against Covenant College on Friday afternoon at Owen-Fulton Field in the USA South Conference series opener.

Freshman Brandon Hatcher reached to open the bottom half of the ninth after being hit by a pitch, Hatcher advanced to second following a sacrifice bunt by freshman Jason Maggs, advanced to third on a wild pitch and later crossed home plate for the winning run following a ball that got away from the Scots' catcher.

Averett (2-13, 1-6 USA South) scored the first run of Friday's conference battle when freshman Nate Tuck scored on a single by junior Sawyer Smith and a throwing error by Covenant. Tuck reached to open the inning following a single of his own.

Covenant (7-5, 2-1 USA South) tied the game at 1-1 in the top of the fourth inning on an RBI-single by Alex Gonzalez that plated CJ Edmond.

Friday's conference home opener would be a pitching duel that was one for the ages as senior Matt Tuggle got the start for the Cougars, pitching five steller innings, striking out three in the first inning, scattering four hits on the day and ending with eight strikeouts.

Tuggle's opposition Matt Reitz lasted seven innings for Covenant, allowing one unearned run and striking out five, while surrendering seven Averett hits.

Sophomore Ryan Traylor earned the victory for the Cougars, relieving Tuggle in the top of the sixth inning, pitching the final four innings, striking out three while allowing only three hits.

The Cougars pitching staff would only allow one walk for the game, the lowest total of the 2019 season as the Game 1 victory was Averett's best pitching performance of the year.

Offensively, Averett was led by Hatcher and Tuck who each added a hit and a run, while juniors Nick Winston and Smith along with sophomore Dante George, Maggs and senior A.J. Hart all added hits.

The Cougars return back to the diamond Saturday morning for a doubleheader with Covenant beginning at 10 a.m.