DANVILLE, Va. — The Averett University baseball team earned a 4-3 walk-off victory over rival Ferrum College for its first win of the 2021 season on Tuesday at Owen-Fulton Field. 
 
Averett (1-6) walked it off in the ninth after sophomore Nolan Maccabe singled through the right side for his third hit on the afternoon to lead off the inning. Junior Brandon Hatcher was hit by a pitch to reach first and move Maccabe to second and Maccabe later moved up 90 feet to third following a walk to load the bases. Freshman Zelgin Jackson sent Maccabe home for the winning run when he reached on a fielder's choice RBI to second base. 
 
Ferrum (1-5) took a 2-0 advantage following two runs in the top of the second inning, but Averett broke its scoring drought in the bottom of the fourth inning with one swing as senior Tanner Bradshaw launched a solo home run over the left field fence for his first home run on the year. 
 
The Cougars benefitted from two more runs in the fifth to take a 3-2 advantage. Junior Jason Maggs began the inning with a double down the left field line and Maccabe reached via an infield bunt single that moved Maggs to third. Maccabe stole second to put two runners in scoring position for Averett and Hatcher plated both Maggs and Maccabe for the 3-2 advantage on a two RBI double down the left field line. 
 
The Panthers tied the game 3-3 in the seventh, but junior Avery Spicer who came in for sophomore starter Tyler Nuckols in the fifth inning settled down for his final two innings to keep the game tied 3-3 heading to the bottom of the ninth. 
 
Spicer picked up the win for the Cougars pitching five impressive innings allowing just one run on three hits while striking out six batters. 
 
Nuckols ended his afternoon allowing two runs over four innings, allowing four hits and striking out four. 
 
The Cougars finished with four extra base hits on the afternoon out of their nine totals hits as Hatcher finished 2-4 and Maccabe tallied a 3-4 afternoon with two runs. 
 
Averett returns back to action on Wednesday when they host the University of Lynchburg at 2 p.m. at Owen-Fulton Field