LAGRANGE, Ga. — Averett University softball battled back to the USA South Conference Tournament championship game, but the Cougars fell short against Maryville College, 5-0, in the title game held Sunday at the Shuford Softball Complex in LaGrange.

Averett (31-16) needed to beat Maryville (28-9) on Sunday to win the tournament crown. However, the Scots took advantage of three errors over the first two innings to take command of the lead. In the first, a fielding mishap kept the inning going, which allowed Sarah Gordon to drive in a run with her RBI single to give the Scots a 1-0 lead. Two more errors in the second allowed two more runs to score to extend Maryville's lead to 3-0.

Averett's offense had opportunities as the Cougars got runners on base, including in scoring position in the second, third and fifth innings. However, USA South Pitcher of the Year Katlyn Smith, who was the tournament MVP, kept the Cougars off the scoreboard.

Maryville tacked on two more runs in the fourth on a pair of RBI singles to extend its lead to 5-0.

Averett freshman Hannah Thompson and junior Nicole Cauthen each had two hits, while freshman Lauren Johnston accounted for the other hit for the Cougars.

Averett placed three players on the USA South All-Tournament Team as Thompson, junior Kaitlyn Aherron and freshman Zamyiah Mangum were each selected.

The loss ends a strong season for the Cougars, who surpassed 30 wins and produced three all-conference performers, including the USA South Rookie Pitcher of the Year in Thompson. Averett knocked off William Peace University in the first round of the tournament last week before heading to LaGrange. The Cougars topped Huntingdon College before falling to Maryville in extra innings. In the elimination bracket, Averett won three games on Saturday to earn a rematch with Maryville, who only needed to play three games to win the trophy in LaGrange.
 
 
 
 
2019 USA South Conference All-Tournament Team:
P-Katlyn Smith, Maryville (MVP)
P- Hannah Thompson, Averett
C-Alexus Murray, Maryville
1B-Sarah Gordon, Maryville
2b-Brittany Morton, Salem
SS-Amanda Dacunto, Salem
3B-Brianne Coleman, Salem
UTIL-Kaitlyn Aherron, Averett
OF-Ashton Hayden, Maryville
OF-Zamyiam Mangum, Averett
OF-Rayne Ellis, Huntingdon