DANVILLE, Va. — Averett University softball's offense broke through in Game 2 for a 6-3 victory over Roanoke College to earn a non-conference split with the Maroons on Wednesday at Cougar Field. Roanoke took Game 1 with a 2-0 win.

Averett (6-8) broke through in Game 2 with a big second inning. Senior Casey Cook's RBI double down the left field line scored junior Cameron Stamm, and freshman Chloe Horton added an RBI single and junior Anna Coleman smacked an RBI double to extend the Cougars' lead to 3-0.

The Cougars struck again in the fourth inning when sophomore Lauren Nelson crushed a two-out, two-run double to the fence in left-center to push Averett's lead to 5-0.

An error in the sixth inning helped Roanoke (4-2) put together a three-run frame to get back within 5-3. However, Nelson came through with another big at-bat in the bottom of the sixth when she crushed an RBI double to nearly the same spot to increase Averett's advantage to 6-3.

Freshman right-hander Taylor Sullivan, who came in to pitch in relief and get Averett out of further trouble in the sixth, finished off the Maroons in the seventh to earn her first career save while striking out two.

Junior Hannah Thompson (2-2) earned the win in the circle and didn't allow an earned run while recording three strikeouts.

Coleman, Nelson and junior Lauren Johnston each had a pair of hits in Game 2 for Averett, which totaled 10 hits as a team.
 
Although Averett took advantage of its opportunities in Game 2, the Cougars didn't convert on those chances in Game 1. Averett put a runner on base in each inning, including runners in scoring position in five innings. The Cougars left the bases loaded three times and couldn't get the needed timely hit despite out-hitting Roanoke 8-6 for the game.

Roanoke broke a scoreless tie in the top of the sixth of Game 1 when Shanan Hester doubled to right-center, scoring Brooke Trapuzzano all the way from first based to put the Maroons ahead 1-0. Roanoke added an insurance run in the seventh on a wild pitch to make it 2-0.

Coleman and senior Mallory Griffiths each had a pair of hits in the opener.

Averett continues conference play on Saturday when the Cougars travel to Pfeiffer University for a 1 p.m. doubleheader.