MISENHEIMER, N.C. — Junior Erin Rankin's three-run homer highlighted a 6-4 win over conference foe Pfeiffer University in Game 1 to help Averett University softball earn a doubleheader split with the Falcons on Saturday. Pfeiffer edged Averett 1-0 in Game 2.

In the opener, Averett (7-9, 3-1 USA South) overcame an early deficit, then held off Pfeiffer (6-7, 1-1 USA South) in the final innings to pick up the road conference victory. Pfeiffer went ahead 1-0 on Ashlyn Kennedy's RBI double to left field in the bottom of the third, but Averett responded immediately in the top of the fourth with a big two-out rally.

Rankin drew a walk, and after moving to second base on a wild pitch, she scored on sophomore Lauren Nelson's RBI single to left field to tie the game, 1-1. The Cougars then took the lead on an unusual play. Following a double by junior Hannah Thompson, which moved Nelson to third, senior Casey Cook drew a walk to seemingly load the bases. However, the catcher's throw back to the pitcher ricocheted off Cook's helmet and landed down the first base line, allowing Nelson to score the go-ahead run from third.

Averett added to its lead in the top of the fifth thanks to Rankin's big hit. Junior Lauren Johnston walked and freshman Chloe Horton was hit by a pitch to put to runners aboard. With two outs, Rankin crushed a 3-1 pitch out of the park in left-center to extend Averett's lead to 5-1.

Pfeiffer got one run back in the bottom of the fifth on an RBI sacrifice fly, and then closed the deficit to 6-4 with Kennedy's two-run single up the middle in the sixth. Yet, right-hander Taylor Sullivan finished off the Falcons in the seventh to secure the Averett win in Game 1.

The lone Averett blemish in Game 2 proved to be the difference in Game 2. Pfeiffer's Makenzie Pennell scored the only run for either team in the second game with her solo homer to left field in the bottom of the fourth.
 
Averett returns to action on March 27 when the Cougars travel to play conference foe N.C. Wesleyan College.