RALEIGH, N.C. — Averett University softball took Game 1 from William Peace University 7-5, but the Pacers won the nightcap 13-4 in five innings as the two schools split a conference doubleheader Saturday.
 
Averett got off to a solid start in the opener as senior Mallory Griffiths scored on junior Hannah Thompson's RBI single, and senior Kaitlyn Aherron followed moments later with a two-run homer to center field to give the Cougars a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning.

William Peace answered with a run in the bottom of the first, and then tied it 3-3 with a two-run double in the second. The Cougars, however, reclaimed a 6-3 lead in the third when Averett scored three runs with the help of multiple William Peace errors.

After the Pacers got within 6-4, Thompson unloaded a solo homer to left field in the fourth to extend the Averett lead back to 7-4. Peace again answered with an RBI single in the fifth to get back within two runs.

William Peace threatened in the seventh, loading the bases with no outs. However, Aherron came in to pitch and induced a foul out to the catcher and then struck the last two batters out looking to end the game and earn her second save of the season.

Thompson (3-3) got the win in the circle and also went 3-for-4 at the plate. Aherron and junior Anna Coleman also finished with two hits in Game 1.
 
William Peace grabbed control of Game 2 early, scoring five runs in the first inning. Averett answered with Coleman's solo homer and a two-run single by junior Lauren Johnston in the second to trim the deficit to 5-3. The Pacers put together a seven-run fourth inning to help put the game out of reach. Only seven of William Peace's 13 runs were earned.

Griffths, Aherron and Coleman had two hits in Game 2, with Johnston leading the team with three runs batted in.

Averett's next scheduled doubleheader is on Saturday, April 24, at home against Greensboro College.