DANVILLE, Va. — The Averett University baseball team dropped a hard fought 7-5 decision to Eastern Mennonite University in non-conference action on Wednesday at Owen-Fulton Field. 
 
Eastern Mennonite (11-8) struck for an early 3-0 advantage on Wednesday, pushing three runs across in the top half of the second inning and added another two runs in the fourth to run the score to 5-2. 
 
Averett (0-17) got on the board in the bottom of the fifth inning when sophomore Brandon Hatcher singled through the right side scoring senior Zack DeCarlo. The Cougars later added another run off a double play ground out to pull within 5-2.
 
However, the Royals pushed their advantage to 6-2 with a run in the sixth inning, but Averett answered with a run in the seventh inning off an RBI double by senior Chase McKinney that plated DeCarlo for his second run to cut the lead to 6-3. 
 
Eastern Mennonite added a run in the top of the eight inning, but the Cougars followed up that effort with a lone run coming off a double by freshman Kyle Wilson that scored senior Andrew Lancaster. 
 
The Royals threatened to score in the top of the ninth, but freshman David Asbill entered out of the bullpen and slammed the door, getting an out off a sac bunt, followed by a groundout to shortstop and struck out the final out to give way to the Cougars offense.
 
Trailing 7-4 heading into the bottom of the ninth inning, Averett loaded the bases and pushed a run across off an RBI walk by sophomore Jason Maggs to pull within 7-5, however, Eastern Mennonite recorded the final out to preserve the 7-5 victory. 
 
Averett, after being held hitless for the opening four innings, came alive in the final innings, racking up 10 hits to edge out the Royals mark of eight, but costly walks allowed EMU to add runs early. 
 
McKinney lead the charge offensively for the Cougars finishing 3-5 at the dish with two runs, while DeCarlo added two hits out of the nine slot to go along with two runs scored. 
 
Additionally, Hatcher, Wilson, Lancaster, senior Cody Jones and junior Tanner Bradshaw all tallied base knocks for the Cougars, while Asbill and senior George Roos pitched well for Averett out of the bullpen. 
 
The Cougars return to action on Thursday when they host Guilford College at 3 p.m. at Owen-Fulton Field.