DANVILLE, Va. — A walk-off win in extra innings highlighted Averett University softball's sweep of Eastern Mennonite University to open Old Dominion Athletic Conference play Sunday on Cougar Field. After winning 1-0 in Game 1, the Cougars won 2-1 in a thriller to finish off the day.
 
In the opener, an RBI single in the opening inning proved to be the difference for the Cougars. With freshman Mackenzie Newcomb on first, freshman Kadence Woodlief singled through the left side to put runners on the corners with one out for Averett (8-10, 2-0 ODAC). Senior Taylor Sullivan came through with a bloop single to right field to score Newcomb to put the Cougars up 1-0.

From there, Averett's defense made several stellar plays to back Sullivan, who got the shutout win in the circle. Sullivan had five strikeouts with no walks and didn't allow a run while scattering six hits over seven innings.

Woodlief, Sullivan and freshman Molly George accounted for Averett's three hits in Game 1.
 
EMU (4-7, 0-2 ODAC) broke through for its first run of the game in the second inning of Game 2. A leadoff double put Grace Fravel aboard, and she moved to third on a groundout. Fravel scored a batter later on a hard groundout to shortstop to put the Royals ahead 1-0.

Averett battled back to tie it in the fifth inning. George smacked a leadoff double to right-center. After the sacrifice bunt moved freshman pinch-runner Ally Testerman to third, junior Hannah Jones' bloop single to left field scored Testerman to tie the game, 1-1.

Averett's defense made key plays to keep EMU off the scoreboard, including in extra innings. With the go-ahead run trying to score from third on a chopper to first base, sophomore Mackenzi Luckenbaugh fielded it and fired home to get the out at the plate. The Cougars kept the Royals from scoring in the top of the eighth, which proved to be crucial and set up the walk-off win.

EMU looked as though it might keep Averett off the scoreboard as well in the bottom of the eight. The Cougars couldn't move the placed runner, Jones, over to third with the first two batters, which were outs. However, a passed ball moved Jones to third to give to put the winning run a base away. Sophomore Hannah Zabik came through moments later with a single to center field, driving in Jones with the game-winning run as Averett stormed the field in celebration.

Jones and Newcomb each had two hits for the Cougars, who got another strong pitching outing from freshman Kaci Stephenson.

Averett is scheduled to host ODAC foe Guilford College on Wednesday.



  Read Full Article