DANVILLE, Va. — Southern Virginia University scored the go-ahead run in the ninth inning to edge Averett University baseball 7-6 in USA South Conference play Friday afternoon at Owen-Fulton Field.
Tied 6-6 in the top of the ninth, Southern Virginia (5-7, 2-3 USA South) loaded the bases with no one out. Although Averett (7-15 2-3 USA South) got out of the jam with only allowing a sacrifice fly to deep center, that proved to be the difference as the Knights plated the eventual game-winning run on the play to take the second game of the three-game series.
Averett trailed 1-0 after giving up a sacrifice fly in the top of the third, the Cougars responded in the bottom half of the inning. Averett loaded the bases for freshman
Preston Robbins, who chopped a single over the third baseman's head to bring home two runs and give the Cougars a 2-1 advantage.
That lead was short-lived as Southern Virginia answered in the top of the fourth with three runs to jump back in front 4-2. The Knights got a pair of RBI doubles around an RBI single to take a two-run lead.
The Cougars fought back to tie it, 4-4, in the bottom of the sixth. Senior
Nate Tuck's sacrifice fly to center scored senior
Avery Spicer from third base, and freshman
Zach Smith's single to center brought home the tying run moments later.
Southern Virginia once again came back in its next at-bat to regain the lead in the top of the seventh with back-to-back RBI singles with two outs to put the Knights ahead 6-4. Averett got one of those runs back in the bottom of the seventh on senior
Brandon Hatcher's RBI single up the middle.
Down by a run in the bottom of the eighth, Averett had runners on first and second with one out. The Cougars tried to execute a double steal, and the throw to third sailed into left field, which would have allowed the tying run to score on the error. However, umpire interference was called, sending both runners back to their original bases. The run eventually scored moments later as sophomore
Brandt Brophy lined a single to left-center, tying the game at 6-6 entering the final frame.
The Cougars will celebrate their seniors with a Senior Day ceremony prior to Saturday's finale with Southern Virginia.
