DANVILLE, Va. – The Averett University baseball team dropped a tightly contest 2-1 decision to Pfeiffer University in its opening game of a three-game USA South Conference series on Thursday. 
 
Averett (3-14, 2-5 USA South) took a 1-0 advantage in the bottom of the first inning when senior Ryan Traylor, who singled to open the inning, came around to score on a passed ball. 
 
Junior Avery Spicer struck out the side in the top half of the second inning before tallying three straight where he retired the Falcons in order. 
 
However, Pfeiffer (6-5, 2-1 USA South) got on the board with two unearned runs in the fifth inning to take a 2-1 edge. 
 
Spicer held the Falcons in check over the sixth and seventh inning, in route to only allowing four hits and striking out five. 
 
Senior Kyle Lamantia replaced Spicer in the eighth inning, pitching a scoreless frame while striking out one before being lifted in the ninth for senior Cole Spain who struck out two in one inning of work. 
 
Excellent pitching limited both the Cougars and Falcons to just six hits on the afternoon, while Averett being held to just two.
 
The Cougars return back to action on Saturday when they host Pfeiffer for a doublehead beginning at noon at Owen-Fulton Field.