WINCHESTER, Va. — Averett University softball lost a pair of close conference doubleheaders on the road, falling to Shenandoah University 5-2 and 3-2 on Saturday afternoon.

Averett (7-23, 2-10 ODAC) seemed poised for a comeback in Game 2, pulling within one in the final inning and putting the tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position. Trailing 3-1 entering their last at-bat, the Cougars got a leadoff double from junior Taylor Sullivan, and freshman Hannah Zabik then reached on a fielder's choice. After an error loaded the bases with no outs, an RBI groundout scored Sullivan to get Averett within 3-2 with only one out. Shenandoah (10-18, 4-8 ODAC) escaped, however, getting a strikeout and a ground out to end the game for a one-run win.

The Hornets got two runs in the third to go ahead in the second game. Freshman Mackenzi Luckenbaugh's RBI single cut Shenandoah's lead in half in the top of the sixth, but the Hornets got it right back with an RBI double in the bottom of the frame.
 
Sullivan went 2-for-3 for the Cougars, who had six hits.
 
Averett's comeback also fell short in Game 1. Down 1-0, the Cougars tied it in the second on senior Hannah Heath's sacrifice fly. Shenandoah then answered with three runs in the fourth inning to go back in front 4-1. Zabik singled to right, driving in another Averett run in the sixth. Shenandoah, however, added another run in the sixth to extend its lead and held on from there.

Averett will head to Bridgewater College on Sunday for an ODAC doubleheader at 1 p.m.
 
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