DANVILLE, Va. — Averett University softball earned a split with William Peace University, winning 4-2 in Game 2 to bounce back after falling 9-1 earlier in the day in a non-conference doubleheader Thursday at Cougar Field.
 
In Game 2, Averett (5-15) fell behind 1-0 following an RBI single in the first inning by William Peace (14-8. However, the Cougars' bats broke through in the second inning. Averett loaded the bases for freshman Hannah Zabik, who smacked a two-run single to right-center field to put the Cougars in front 2-1. Sophomore Angela Rodriguez then knocked a two-run double down the right field line to increase Averett's advantage to 4-1.

William Peace loaded the bases in the third but only got one run thanks to an error as Averett worked out of further trouble to keep a 4-2 lead.

William Peace loaded the bases in the top of the seventh before Averett put away the Pacers to seal the win.

Zabik (2-3) earned the victory in the circle, allowing just two runs — one earned — over seven innings of work. Zabik also helped herself at the plate, going 3-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored.

The opener was a tight contest until late in the game. William Peace took an initial 1-0 lead on a sacrifice fly following a one-out triple in the top of the second. The Pacers made it 2-0 in the fourth with another sacrifice fly. Averett got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fifth. Zabik doubled through the left side to lead off the inning, then scored on sophomore Salem Hill's one-out single to close the deficit to 2-1.

William Peace, coming off a split against nationally ranked Pfeiffer University two days earlier, added two more runs in the sixth with the help of a double and two singles. The Pacers then broke it open in the top of the seventh, tacking on three more runs to go ahead 9-1.

Hill and freshman Mackenzi Luckenbaugh each had two hits for the Cougars, who had five hits as a team in Game 1.

The doubleheader between Averett and William Peace wasn't on the original schedule, but the Cougars' March 29 doubleheader with Carolina University was canceled and the Pacers recently lost two series due to rainouts, so the two former USA South Conference foes added the meeting to their schedule.

Averett is scheduled to host No. 6 Virginia Wesleyan University on Saturday.


  Read Full Article