MISENHEIMER, N.C. — Averett University softball knocked off Pfeiffer University 2-1 in the opener, and nearly came front behind late in Game 2 before falling 8-7 in a conference doubleheader on Saturday afternoon.

In Game 1, Averett (22-11, 7-5 USA South) outdueled Pfeiffer (29-5, 10-4 USA South) with a solid offensive performance coupled with a gem from freshman Hannah Thompson in the circle.

Averett took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first thanks to a Pfeiffer error that allowed junior Kaitlyn Aherron to score after she doubled to lead off the game. The Cougars added a crucial insurance run in the top of the sixth on freshman Anna Coleman's RBI double to left-center, which scored freshman Erin Rankin.

Pfeiffer scored its only run in the bottom of the sixth when Reece Davis hit an RBI double to right-center. Yet, with the tying run at third and only one out, Thompson got a strikeout and a flyout to get out of the jam.

The bottom of the sixth was one of several key innings where the Cougars worked their way out of trouble. The Falcons had the bases loaded with no outs in the third, but Averett escaped without allowing a run. An interference call for the first out negated one run, and Thompson induced a popup and got an inning-ending strikeout to keep Pfeiffer off the board. Pfeiffer also threated in the bottom of the seventh after a one-out error gave the Falcons life. Yet, Thompson induced a game-ended double play to secure the win.

Thompson (12-3) allowed just one run on four hits and three walks while striking out seven to beat Pfeiffer, which is still transitioning from Division II to Division III. She also held Falcons' All-American shortstop Vada Blue Sherrill to a 0-for-3 performance in Game 1.

Offensively, Averett pounded out 10 hits highlighted by a 3-for-3 effort from junior Breanna Murphy. Aherron, Rankin and Coleman each had a pair of hits and senior Taylor Hodges had the other hit.

Averett nearly rallied for a sweep after scoring four runs in top of the seventh against Pfeiffer in Game 2. Down 8-3, the Cougars got an RBI single by freshman Kourtnie Blankenship, a two-run double by Murphy and an RBI groundout to close within one run of the Falcons. Averett had the tying run on second when Pfeiffer escaped with a popup for the third out.

Pfeiffer jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning of the nightcap. Averett got within 3-1 on freshman Zamyiah Mangum's RBI double down the left field line in the fourth. Pfeiffer, however, answered with a two-run single in the bottom half of the frame to extend its lead to 5-1.

Yet, Averett continued to fight. In the top of the fifth, Thompson smacked an RBI double, and Coleman followed with a sacrifice fly to close the gap to 5-3. Pfeiffer tacked on three runs in the sixth with the help of an RBI triple, an RBI sac bunt and an RBI single.

Each team had 11 hits in Game 2. Thompson led the way with a 3-for-4 effort while Murphy and Mangum both tallied two hits.

Averett returns to action on Sunday when the Cougars play host to non-conference foe Roanoke College at 1 p.m. at Cougar Field.