FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — The Averett University baseball team split a USA South Conference doubleheader with Methodist University on Sunday by finals of 11-5 and 5-3 to pick up a 2-1 series victory. 
 
Game 1:
 
Averett (3-9, 2-1 USA South) took a 1-0 lead following an RBI single by freshman Zelgin Jackson, but the Monarchs tallied two runs in the second and another in the third to take a 3-1 edge. 
 
Methodist (7-10, 1-2 USA South) added two runs in both the sixth and seventh inning to extend its advantage to 7-1 before the Cougars got back on the board in the top of the eighth with four runs. 
 
Junior Nate Tuck knocked in freshman Logan Albertson for the first run of the inning and senior Ryan Traylor collected an RBI single to cut within 7-3 of the Monarchs. 
 
The Cougars continued the inning with an RBI infield single off the bat of junior Brandon Hatcher and Jackson tallied his second RBI on a sacrifice fly out to left field to pull within striking distance of Methodist at 7-5. 
 
However, the Monarchs scored four runs in the bottom half of the inning to control an 11-5 lead and hang on for the opening game win. 
 
Traylor finished 2-4 with an RBI at the plate, while junior Wesley Payne threw well in relief for the Cougars tossing a scoreless frame allowing just one hit and striking out a batter. 
 
Game 2:
 
The Cougars got going early in the second game, scoring three runs in the first inning to take a 3-0 advantage. 
 
Junior Jason Maggs put Averett up 1-0 on and RBI single to left field and senior Tanner Bradshaw continued his dominate weekend with a two RBI single. 
 
The Monarchs got on the board in the third inning with a run, but Traylor held Methodist in check until being lifted in the eighth inning for Bradshaw. 
 
Traylor finished with seven strong innings, allowing just six hits and striking out seven batters. 
 
However, Methodist knocked in two runs in the bottom of the eighth to even the contest at 3-3, but Averett wouldn't go down without a fight, regaining the lead with two runs in the top of the ninth. 
 
Bradshaw helped his cause with a leadoff double down the left field line and junior Avery Spicer who pinch hit in the inning knocked in Bradshaw on an RBI single to right field to put the Cougars up 4-3. 
 
Tuck singled through the left side to score Spicer to add an insurance run for Averett heading to the bottom half of the inning. 
 
Bradshaw made quick work of the Monarchs, retiring the side in the bottom of the inning to preserve the victory and get his first win on the year to help Averett improve to 2-1 in conference play. 
 
The Cougars travel to Salem, Virginia on Tuesday for a 2:30 p.m. non-conference tilt with Roanoke College before returning to conference action against William Peace University this coming weekend.