DANVILLE, Va. — Averett University softball edged Guilford College 2-1 thanks to a pitching gem from senior Taylor Sullivan, but the Cougars' comeback fell short in the final inning in Game 2 in a 6-5 loss on Thursday in Old Dominion Athletic Conference play.

In Game 1, Averett (14-20, 8-10 ODAC) inched ahead 1-0 in the bottom of the first when Sullivan's sacrifice fly to center field scored freshman Mackenzie Newcomb from third. That lead stood until the fourth inning, when Guilford (15-19, 7-9 ODAC) took advantage of an error that eventually led to a game-tying sac fly.

Averett broke the 1-1 tie in the bottom of the fifth as junior Hannah Jones' RBI groundout scored freshman Ally Testerman from third for what turned out to be the game-winning run.

Sullivan finished off Guilford with back-to-back one-two-three innings to earn the win in the circle. She allowed just one run and struck out seven with no walks while facing just two batters above the minimum.
Sophomore Abby Owen had two of Averett's four hits in Game 1.
 
Averett had to battle back in Game 2 after giving up a run in the top of the first thanks to an error. The Quakers tacked on another run in the third inning on an RBI groundout to second base to extend their lead to 2-0.
The Cougars knotted the game, 2-2, in the fourth. Sullivan smacked an RBI double to score freshman Kadence Woodlief, and Owen followed with a sac fly to score Sullivan two batters later. In the fifth, Newcomb's RBI single to center field scored Jones to put the Cougars in front 3-2. However, that lead didn't last.

Guilford tied it in the top of the sixth with an RBI double to kickstart a four-run inning. The Quakers took the lead on another RBI double, then added two more runs later in the inning by taking advantage of an error and an RBI groundout to go up 6-3.

Averett didn't go away quietly. In the bottom of the seventh, Newcomb led off with a single and stole second and third base on separate plays, then came up on sophomore Hannah Zabik's RBI single to shortstop — Zabik also advanced to second thanks to an errant throw to first after beating out the throw. However, a lineout double play cleared the bases with two outs. That proved to be crucial for Guilford as Sullivan and freshman Shea Donoghue each singled. Owen followed with an RBI single to right-center, scoring Sullivan an putting the tying run at third. After a pitching change, Guilford escaped by getting a popout in the infield to hold on for a 6-5 win and earn a series split.

Newcomb, Sullivan and junior Angela Rodriguez each had multiple hits in Game 2 as Averett's offense totaled 11 hits as a team.
 
Averett travels to University of Lynchburg for a doubleheader Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
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