FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Averett University softball lost a pair of non-conference games at Methodist University on Thursday. The Cougars lost a heartbreaker in Game 1 as Methodist hit a walk-off grand slam to win it 12-8, then fell 4-2 in the nightcap.
 
To open the doubleheader, Averett (3-7) jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning thanks to senior Karsin Lee's RBI triple, junior Taylor Sullivan's RBI single and a Methodist error that allowed Sullivan to eventually come home. The Cougars added another run to their lead on freshman Hannah Zabik's RBI single in the third before going up 6-0 in the fourth on sophomore Salem Hill's two-run double to left field.

Methodist (9-5) chipped away at Averett's lead, getting two runs back in the fifth and two more in the sixth to get within 8-4 entering the final inning. In that last frame, the Monarchs were down to their last two outs before putting together a game-winning rally. Three walks loaded the bases to set up a two-run single, and Methodist later tied the game 8-8 on a fielding error. With the bases loaded, Sydney Sizemore hit a walk-off grand slam to left-center as Methodist completed the improbable comeback.

Averett outhit Methodist 10-9, with Sullivan, Hill, Zabik and senior Lauren Nelson each totaling two hits.

The Cougars looked to bounce back in Game 2, taking a 1-0 lead in the first on Hill's RBI single to left. Yet, Methodist got an RBI triple and an RBI groundout in the second inning to go up 2-1.

After Averett tied it 2-2 on sophomore Angela Rodriguez's RBI double, the Monarchs got a solo homer in the bottom half of the fourth to inch back ahead. They added another insurance run moments later on a sacrifice fly.

Averett got a double from Hill in the top of the seventh to bring the tying run to the plate, but Methodist held on for the win in a battle of former USA South Conference foes.

Rodriguez and Hill each had two hits for the Cougars.

Averett returns home to play Juniata College on Monday at 2 p.m.


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