HARRISONBURG, Va. — Senior Cody Jones launched a solo home run in Averett University baseball's 6-5 road loss to Eastern Mennonite University on Tuesday in non-conference action. 
 
Eastern Mennonite (7-4) benefitted from a run in the bottom of the first inning to take an early 1-0 lead, but the Cougars bats got hot in the top of the third inning scoring three runs on five hits to take a 3-1 lead.
 
Averett (0-9) scored its first run of the afternoon when senior Chase McKinney singled up the middle plating senior Zack DeCarlo to even the game at 1-1.
 
Before Jones knocked in his first run of the afternoon to give the Cougars a 2-1 edge, giving way to junior Tanner Bradshaw who plated McKinney on an RBI single through the left side for the 3-1 lead. 
 
The Cougars added an insurance run in the top of the fifth inning when sophomore Nate Tuck singled to center field scoring Bradshaw to give Averett a 4-1 advantage. 
 
However, Roanoke took the lead with four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning and added the eventual game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning. 
 
Jones cut into the Maroons lead in the top of the ninth with a solo shot for his first of the season, but Roanoke recorded the final out to preserve the victory. 
 
Jones and Bradshaw each recorded three hit efforts for the Cougars while freshman Braxton Eades pitched five strong innings allowing eight hits and striking out a career-high five batters after getting the start.
 
Additionally, freshman David Asbill pitched well in relief in his first career action, striking out two batters in one inning of work. 
 
The Cougars return to action on Saturday when they host Methodist University for a USA South Conference double header beginning at noon.